EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:48 Page 1 Issue 8 z europeaneuropean GEOPARKSGEOPARKS European Geoparks Magazine network

Geoparks:Geoparks: LearningLearning fromfrom thethe PastPast -- BuildingBuilding aa SustainableSustainable FutureFuture

CelebratingCelebrating 1010 YearsYears ofof InnovationsInnovations EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:48 Page 2

Foreword

Magazine 8 celebrates and provides an overview of the range of activities and achievements in the life of the European Geoparks Network between 2010 and 2011. These include the highly success- ful 9th European Geoparks Conference, discussions focusing on the future of the Global Geoparks Network, the activities and new devel- opments within individual Geoparks and the expansion of the net- EDITORIAL work increasing the membership to 43. The 9th European Geoparks Conference entitled "Geoparks: European Learning from the Past - Building a Sustainable Future / Celebrating 10 Years of Innovations" was held at the University of the Aegean Geoparks on the island of Lesvos in Greece from 1 - 5 October, 2010. Twenty

PARKS four sessions involving five themes - Geoparks and World Heritage; Network Research in Geoparks; Geoparks - Best practice in management, Geotourism and Education; Geo-conservation: Policy and Practice, Magazine Aspiring Geoparks; - provided the 350 participants from 41 coun- tries with a substantial framework for lively discussions and debate. Issue No 8 / 2011 european GEO The range of subjects aimed to advance the contribution which European and Global Geoparks already make to issues such as Published by: Natural History Museum of the Lesvos regional development, international collaboration, and best practices Petrified Forest on behalf of the in geoconservation and sustainable development as well as environ- European Geoparks Network mental education. The conference was followed by a visit to the unique and beautiful Petrified Forest of Lesvos Geopark. The meet- Executive editor: ing of the 11 members of the International Bureau of the Global Nickolas Zouros Geopark Network included the evaluation of candidates for induction into the Network Editorial board: Nineteen articles highlight the innovative approaches that European Heinz Kollmann, Tony Ramsay, Geoparks adopt in contributing to geoconservation, education and Jutta Weber, Nickolas Zouros geotourism. In these articles individual Geoparks share their expe- riences in working with their local communities, in communicating Contributors: information about their territories and in using these interrelated Katharina Weiskopf, Irmi Auer, Heinz activities to create enjoyable and memorable experiences for the Kollmann, Reinhard Mitterbaeck, inhabitants and visitors to their Geoparks. By sharing this knowledge Elizabeth Pickett, Milagros Perez, Robina the Network ensures that Geoparks will continue to progress in their Barton, Katerina Vasileiadou, Luis Alcala, roles as active centres for providing holistic views of Earth history Angel Hernandez, Baldomero Moreno and for raising awareness of the need to protect and conserve the Arroyo, Alicia Serna Barquero, Stephane natural and cultural environment. Legal, Christine Balme, Loic Costeur, Two Geoparks demonstrate the use of art to connect nature and Matteo Vacchi, Marco Firpo, Cristiano people. During the Geoquest event in the English Riviera Geopark Queirolo, Maurizio Burlando, Anchel Belmonte Ribas, Luis Carcavilla Urqui, three artists, the Geo-trio, shared and explored their experiences of Carlos Neto de Carvalho, Joana de Castro the Geopark by interacting with the community and through a series Rodrigues, Mase V., Jutta Weber, Ute of evening walks and theatrical shows. Bergstrasse Odenwald Ritschel, Zhu Dong E, Melanie Border, Geopark together with their partners The Global Geopark Mt. Lushan Kristin Rangnes, John Galloway, Mike describe the outcomes of a cooperative project in which a group of Sweeney, Eberhard Schindler, Volker artists created unique art installations along "The Poetic Forest Trail" Wilde, Janos Tardy, Imre Szarvas, Pal in Mt. Lushan. North Pennines AONB Geopark describes a project to Thjomoe, Cristina Iturriagagoitia, Joan preserve important historical structures associated with the area's Poch, Jon Paul Llordes, Aloia Aniello, De world class mining heritage. The Geopark Harz. Braunschweiger Vita Angelo, Toni Andrea, Vesa Krokki, Land. Ostfalen focuses on raising the visibility of a global extinction Ritva Okkonen, Alessandra Casini, Riccardo event 375 million years ago. Contributions from Geoparks in Austria, Cinelli, Panagiotis Paschos, Haritakis France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain Papaioannou demonstrate how Geoparks involve communities and schools in edu- cational projects which are innovative, informative but also enter- Editing: Tony Ramsay taining. Subbetica Geopark, Spain explains its geology and the Publication manager: Geopark concept by marketing salt.. Italian and Spanish Geoparks Antonis Georgiou include geological heritage in trails and as 'a leitmotif for linking Print: archaeology, architecture, history and culture'. Epikinonia S.A Cover photo: Articles by seven new geoparks are clear evidence of the increasing Outdoor activities in the Fforest fawr importance and success of the Geoparks concept. The expansion of geopark - Wales the network has resulted in a shift in the location of the world's Copyright: The magazine and all the northernmost Geopark from Shetland to Finland and the inclusion of contributions and illustrations contained a new transnational Geopark, The Novohrad - Nograd Geopark, in therein are protected by copyright. No Hungary and Slovakia. We welcome and look forward to the contin- part of this magazine may be copied or ued expansion of the Geopark concept and to working with new reproduced without the written approval Geoparks and their communities. of the publishers. This also includes com- mercial reproduction as an electronic data Tony Ramsay, Member of the Editorial Board base and copying on cd rom. c 2011 2 EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:49 Page 3 CONTENTS

Participants of the 9th European Geoparks Conference during the field PARKS trip at the Lesvos Petrified Forest Park

9th European Geoparks Conference & Sobrarbe Geopark: First Intensive 04 10th Anniversary 20 Course in Geological Heritage and european GEO Geodiversity The Global Geoparks Network 07 Naturtejo Geopark acts for a sustainable 10th European Geoparks 21 Environment 08 Conference16 - 20 September 2011, Adamello Brenta Geopark Action Langesund - Norway 22 Plan Ambassadors of the Geopark: School 09 projects in the Eisenwurzen Nature - Communicating partnership & global and Geopark 23 Cooperation through art: Global Geoparks Mt. Lushan, PR China, & Historic Buildings in the North Bergstrasse-Odenwald, Germany 10 Pennines European Geopark Saved for Future Generations "What's happening in the English Integrated Management Strategy for 24 Riviera Global Geopark" 11 Geodiversity of Andalusia (Spain). Gea Norvegica Geopark telling stories Approved by the Regional Government about rocks of Andalusia 25 Geological Interpretation in Andalusian Fun First - Copper Coast Geopark 12 Geoparks 26 Cabo de Gata-Nijar and Sierras The Kellwasser Valley, pinpointing a Subbeticas Geoparks 27 global event 375 million years ago in the Geopark Shetland Celebrates its Geopark Harz. Braunschweiger Land. 13 Spectacular and Diverse Geology Ostfalen Celebrating Past Biodiversity in the Development of the Transboundary 14 Lesvos Petrified Forest: "Fossils of the 28 Novohrad-Nograd Geopark Aegean - Mammal Biodiversity: from the Deinothere of the Lesvos Petrified Forest Magma Geopark: Created in the past, to the Man of the Petralona Cave" 29 experienced in the present A decade promoting territorial identity and a promise for the future 15 in Maestrazgo Geopark Basque Coast Geopark: A strong Salt From Tethys Sea: An example of 30 cultural identity influenced by geology sustainable use of Geological 16 Cilento and Vallo di Diano Geopark: Heritage: Sierras Subeticas Natural Park & Geopark 31 A territory to be discovered A New fossil site of mammal footprints Rokua Geopark - Finland's first and 17 in the Luberon Geopark: Research and 32 world's northernmost Geopark dissemination of information to the general public Tuscan Mining park Geology and 33 Landscape: Parco Delle Colline "Via GeoAlpina" trail: Beigua Metallifere Grossetane 18 Geopark's contribution to discovering the Alpine Geological Heritage Vikos - Aoos Geopark: Landscape, nature and culture in perfect harmony Architecture of the landscape: 34 19 opportunities for new activities in the Geopark Conferences Madonie Park 35 3 EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:49 Page 4 EUROPEAN NETWORK

Delegates

PARKS th attending the 9 European Geoparks 9th European Geoparks Conference Conference & 10th Anniversary european GEO

The sunny skies and blue Saudi Arabia and Chile. Environmental education waters of the Aegean Sea The 9th European Geoparks was also considered together provided the perfect set- Conference occurred under with issues involving inter- ting for the 9th European the aegis of UNESCO with pretation and communica- Geoparks Conference the approval of the General tion, the development of which was held on the Secretary I. Bokova. It was nature tourism, educational island of Lesvos in Greece organized by the Natural programmes on abiotic October 1-5, 2010. History Museum of the nature, climate change adap- The conference, entitled Lesvos Petrified Forest and tation, local participation, "Geoparks: Learning from the Geography department research in geoparks, and the Past - Building a of the University of the best practices in manage- Sustainable Future / Aegean, with the support of ment, geotourism and edu- The delegation of Ningde Celebrating 10 Years of the Greek Ministry of Culture cation. This was followed by and Tourism and the sessions which considered Geopark, China in front of the "Geoparks: Secretariat General for the geo-conservation: policy and Municipal Aegean and Island Policy. practices, evaluating earth Theatre of Learning from the Past - The conference was held at heritage, geoparks and fos- Mytilene at the the University of the Aegean sils. opening of the and included 24 sessions The conference closed with 9th European Building a Sustainable Geoparks with the following themes: symposia on glacial and peri- Future / Conference Geoparks and World Celebrating 10 Years Heritage of Innovations" Research in Geoparks Geoparks - Best practice Innovations" marked the in management, geotourism energetic decade of the exis- and education. tence of the European Geo-conservation: Geoparks Network. A record Policy and practice number of 350 participants Aspiring Geoparks from 41 countries descended on the island to attend the These sessions provided the wide selection of sessions, framework and platform for symposia and cultural informative presentations events. These countries and lively debates on issues included England, Spain, such as: a global strategy for Austria, France, Germany, geoconservation and sustain- Greece, Italy, Ireland, able development; principles Kosovo, Croatia, the of geopark development and Netherlands, Hungary, the contribution which Norway, Sweden, Romania, European and Global Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Geoparks can make to Slovenia, the Czech Republic, regional development; inter- Finland, Russia, Ethiopia, national collaboration, and Australia, Vietnam, Brazil, best practices in geoconser- Indonesia, India, Iran, China, vation and sustainable devel- Korea, Malaysia, Uruguay, opment.

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P. Mc Keever during his introductory speach on EUROPEAN NETWORK EGN 10th Aniversary at the opening

session of the PARKS 9th European Geoparks Conference at the Municipal Theatre of Mytilene european GEO glacial geoparks, coastal, Greek Minister for the activities which include mining, volcanic and tecton- Environment, Energy and research, fossil conservation, ic- alpine geoparks. Climate Change, who in his environmental education, During the conference 11 address referred to a geop- natural monument promo- Participants of new members were warmly ark's ability to "study the tion, and geotourism and its the 9th European welcomed into the Global past and see into the future". effect on the development of Geoparks Geopark Network which now M. Patzak, as a representa- the local region. The latter Conference has a membership of 77 tive of UNESCO, stated that issue was highlighted in the standing in front of a claster of Geoparks from 24 countries. the operations of the EGN welcome address delivered standing The new geoparks include function as a role model for by the head of the local silicified pine the Stonehammer Geopark the development of new net- council of Sigri, Mr. A. tree trunks (Canada), Leye-Fengshan works on more continents. Athanasiadis. The delegates during the field Geopark (China), Ningde J. Charvet of the went on to enjoy a bumpy trip at the Geopark (China), San'in International Union of ride on the Seismic Platform, Lesvos Petrified Forest park Kaigan Geopark (Japan), Geological Sciences asserted Jeju Island Geopark (Korea) that geoparks are an excel- and Dong Van Karst Plateau lent opportunity for coopera- Geopark (Vietnam). Five new tion between the scientific European Geoparks namely: communities and the local Basque Coast Geopark communities to promote the (Spain), Parco Nazionale del natural resources and stimu- Cilento e Vallo di Diano late the local communities. P. (Italy), Rokua Geopark McKeever referred to the (Finland), Tuscan Mining Lesvos Petrified Forest as a Park (Italy), and the Viko- successful example of a Aoos Geopark (Greece) are European and Global also included among the new Geopark. Also in attendance members. As a result there were P. Paterellis, vice Mayor, are now 42 geoparks in the N. Soulakellis, vice Rector, European Geoparks Network. and T. Badman, Head of the Many aspiring geoparks also World Heritage Programme participated in the confer- of the International Union for ence. Presentations were Conservation of Nature. delivered by park authorities In addition to the presenta- from: Latin America, tion and discussion of various Caribbean, Japan, Italy, issues of best practices in Chile, Greece, Vietnam, geoparks, delegates were Korea, Portugal, Slovakia, able to go and see these Ireland, Canada, France, the principles in action when Netherlands, Brazil, India, they visited the Lesvos Iran, Turkey, Russia, Petrified Forest Geopark. Slovenia, Poland, and During the field trip they vis- Nicaragua. ited the Natural History The opening at the Municipal Museum of the Lesvos Theatre of Mytilene was Petrified Forest where they attended, among others, by were familiarized with the N. Sifounakis, the Deputy museum's operations and

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a new educational tool which the museum has installed in its efforts to increase public awareness of seismic haz- ards. The delegates were also impressed by the elec- EUROPEAN NETWORK tronic guide system, the use of which is free for museum visitors. More than 200 works presented during the conference. S. Giraud

PARKS In addition to the Lesvos presenting the Reserve geologique Haute Provence - France Petrified Forest Geopark and its many protected areas of fascinating fossil finds, the delegates visited many geo-

european GEO logical sites such as faults and volcanic geotopes (the volcanoes of Lepetymnos and Vatoussa and the vol- canic centers in Ordymnos, Eressos and Mesotopos). Stops on this excursion around the island included the ancient temple of Messon, the Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production in Lesvos in Agia Rokua geopark delegation receiving the EGN membership Paraskevi, the Taxiarhis certificate by the Greek Minister of Environment N. Sifounakis monastery in Mandamados, the Molyvos volcanic dome and castle, as well as the vol- canic neck with the Sweet Kissing Virgin church at its peak in Petra, and some of the Byzantine monasteries of Lesvos. The conference dele-

The delegation from Jeju island Geopark, Korea, celebrating it’s inscription in the Global Geoparks Network gates' visits to some of these ing and living with the geop- sites were enhanced by the ark concept which melds the delicious flavours of the local natural landscape and the cuisine provided by the local lives of its resident communi- agrotouristic women's coop- ties into a harmonious and eratives.. mutually beneficial mode of Not to be forgotten are the existence. The next decade sounds of the island. will be a challenging one as Delegates will remember the the network continues its magical evening at the castle energetic growth and the of Mytilene where the audi- concept is embraced by more ence was serenaded by the and more communities and strings of the hammered dul- governments, but this will cimers as the moon rose also involve hard work in over the castle walls. maintaining and refining the The 9th European Geoparks geopark approach across the Conference has marked a planet. Onwards and successful decade of apply- upwards!

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The members of the GGN Bureau discussed the new GGN applications during the meeting in Lesvos GLOBAL NETWORK

The Global Geoparks PARKS

Network Bureau Meeting european GEO

A marathon session of the The Bureau also evaluated 11 member International candidates for induction Bureau of the Global into the GGN. Geopark Network (GGN) Eleven new members were occurred on Sunday, 3 found to fulfil the require- October 2010, alongside the ments of operating geop- 9th European Geoparks arks according to the high Network Conference. In the level of specifications senate room of the demanded. The new geop- University of the Aegean, arks are the Stonehammer advisors met to discuss a Geopark (Canada), the first range of issues concerning geopark in north America, Leye-Fengshan Geopark the future of the Global The delegation from Dong Van Karst Plateau Geoparks Network. (China), Ningde Geopark Geopark, Vietnam, receiving the GGN membership Discussions focused on the (China), San'in Kaigan certificate. directions for the network's Geopark (Japan), Jeju operations and coordination Island Geopark (Korea) and over the next decade so Dong Van Karst Plateau that the on-going protection Geopark (Vietnam). Among and promotion of global the new members are also 5 natural heritage continues European geoparks, name- to meet new challenges. ly: Basque coast Geopark The International Bureau of (Spain), Parco Nazionale del the Global Geopark Network Cilento e Vallo di diano (GGN) include Dr. M. Patzak (Italy), Rokua Geopark (UNESCO, GGN secretariat), (Finland), Tuscan Mining Dr. C. Simpson (IUGS - Park (Italy), and the Viko- International Union of Aoos Geopark (Greece). As The delegation from San'in Kaigan Geopark Japan, receiving the GGN membership certificate Geological Sciences), Dr. T. a result there are now 77 Badman (IUCN - geoparks in the Global International Conservation Geoparks Network! Union), Assoc. Prof. N. A ceremony in the Zouros (EGN - European amphitheatre of the Geoparks Network), Dr. P. Geography department of McKeever (EGN), Prof. I. the University of the Aegean Komoo (APGN - Asia -Pacific marked the announcement Geoparks Network), Prof. of the 11 new member Zhao Hun (APGN), Dr. M-L. geoparks in the GGN. Frey (GGN Advisor), Dr. G. The new members were Martini (GGN Advisor), Prof. presented with a special Long Changxing (Chinese certificate of membership Academy of Science), S. by the representative of UNESCO Dr. M. Patzak and The delegation from Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Giraud (EGN Secretariat), Vallo di diano (Italy), receiving the EGN member- and D. Gorfinkiel (UNESCO the memberes of the Global ship certificate by the Greek Minister of Uruguay Office). Geoparks Bureau. Environment N. Sifounakis

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1010th EuropeanEuropean GeoparksGeoparks ConferenceConference 16 - 20 September 2011, Langesund - Norway

ea Norvegica Geopark in Norway is pleased to invite tainable use of our geo-heritage, might vary from Geopark you to participate in this conference. The conference to Geopark. Gwill be held in Langesund, a small village on the The concepts of education and research are also important coast of Telemark, from the 16th -20th September 2011. tasks for Geoparks. Education at all levels, ranging from We will be together for five days, sharing good ideas on small children to students of science in different fields, will geoparks, learning from each other's experiences and dis- be discussed. We will also include papers on research in cuss important Geopark issues. The two last days of the Geoparks and adaptation to climate change. conference will be devoted to field trips. Geo-tourism is a concept that is beginning to take hold in many parts of the world, yet the general understanding of The main theme of the conference is "Sustainability what geo-tourism entails may vary. We will consider "best through Knowledge - Communicating Geoparks". practice" in developing and promoting this concept while Communication on different levels to a variety of people is at the same time incorporating the goal of sustainable essential and the Geopark messages need to reach a broad development. Geo-tourism can provide exciting possibili- audience in order ties for local development achieve the aims of the in all Geoparks. Geopark concept. Geoparks should also play Topics for discussion an important role in local will include: development and create The presentation of economic benefits for local new Geopark projects, communities. Promoting issues concerning the Geoparks and their mar- development of Geoparks and the Global Geoparks keting strategies is important for the development of geo- Network and regional development. Aspiring Geoparks tourism and the development of local businesses. The should take this opportunity to present their Geopark , to development of quality product brands will make it possi- introduce themselves and to be inspired by the work of ble to market Geoparks in the best possible way. Examples other Geoparks throughout the world. There will also be of the kinds of quality brand products that Geoparks could presentations on "best practice" from various Geoparks, promote include agricultural products and handicrafts, as and lectures addressing both the European and the Global well as fantastic nature experiences. Geoparks Networks. The European and the Global Geoparks Networks are Telling the stories, informing, educating, creating good and growing and there are Geoparks on most continents. The memorable experiences is all about interpretation and idea of collaboration is important, and we will discuss sup- communication. Whether they are conveyed through infor- port and the many different kinds of cooperation that are mation panels, leaflets, guided tours, information centres possible. Areas of cooperation are diverse; today's or interpretation centres, we all use these means of com- Geoparks work together on educational issues, scientific munication. Sharing good - or perhaps not so good - expe- research, marketing strategies, sustainable development, riences or presenting new ideas and approaches will all be the process of protecting our global geological heritage, addressed here. and others. Maybe even new topics will be identified? Geo-conservation and sustainable development including World heritage, global strategy, local participation and pol- Please check our homepage for more information on the icy and practice are important issues for all Geoparks. The conference, or contact Gea Norvegica Geopark: importance of taking care of our common heritage is obvi- http://www.geanor.no/eng/EGN-Conference ous to us, but not necessarily to all other collaborators [email protected] including stakeholders, politicians, or management part- Kristen Rangnes ners. The strategy for conservation, for developing the sus- [email protected] EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:50 Page 9

Ambassadors

of the Geopark ACTIVITIES

Geopark and the Gams was the Kraus Cave adjoining which is the largest gypsum-

Gesaeuse National bearing cave in Central PARKS The "Devil’s The protection of nature and Park in 2009 - 2010. Europe. The first stage was to Church". the geological heritage is not Unexpectedly, all schools from explore the cave together Protection and a job which we can delegate joint the region joined the project. with the speleologist who was maintenance of to an outside body and then Within ten months, 17 schools mentoring them. Having been

this monument relax. In addition to legal with 656 students ranging in suitably impressed they start- european GEO of nature by measures, the combined and age from 6 to 17 planned and students and continuous efforts of officials, engaged in 20 detailed proj- School projects local conservation agencies, visi- organisations ects and numerous field trips. tors and communities are The creativity of the students in the Eisenwurzen needed to preserve this her- was absolutely breathtaking. Nature - and Geopark itage. This can only be A video and a brochure pro- achieved by raising awareness duced by each group docu- ed to install their own Kraus in all involved groups. Crucial mented the wide range of Cave at school. A model of in all respects is the coopera- activities. Each group was sci- the cave was tion between those who live entifically supported by a made and wood- in the Park area. Children mentor. Two examples illus- en boards with especially play an important trate how these results were questions con- part in raising this awareness. achieved: cerning the cave They are curious and open to The Secondary Modern were attached experiences which stimulate School of Weissenbach chose on the outside. their imagination and are the theme "Protection of The answers to happy to communicate their Monuments of Nature". The these questions experiences to their families, project was linked to the were given on relatives or friends. "Devil’s Church", a partly col- the reverse sides Cooperation with local schools lapsed cave and Natural of the boards. is therefore essential for a Monument located within the Needless to say the model The children's prospering Geopark and community boundaries. was one of the highlights of Mini Kraus Cave Eisenwurzen Geopark has attracted many According to an old myth, the the final presentation. visitors at the achieved this through a three- devil has - obviously success- The grand finale consisted of final event fold approach: (1) By includ- fully - convinced inhabitants a feast in June 2010. Having ing basic information on the to feast with him in this cave been attended by some 900 Park in the syllabus, (2) instead of attending Sunday students, teachers, parents engaging in field trips and service. Actively supported by and relatives it was by far the projects with the students and the St. Gallen branch of the largest public performance of (3) through annual training Alpine Club, the local Club of schools we have yet organ- courses for teachers. As a Pensioners and the Styrian ized. Each school presented consequence of these efforts Provincial Forest its project with highly three schools within the Administration a new hand- acclaimed games, panels, Nature Park have officially rail was installed and garbage food stands theatrical per- been awarded the accolade was cleared from the cave formances and dances. "Austrian Nature Park and the trails. The students Visitors and actors had much School". Currently, other visualized the myth of the fun and there was a delightful schools are preparing to fulfill cave in a special workshop. atmosphere. This showed us the criteria for receiving this Pictures, diabolic masks and that in addition to all the fun, award and will apply in the comics were produced. Texts, children are ideal ambassa- near future. infernal sounds and, last not dors for spreading the idea of Encouraging students to least, the special treat of a the Geopark. This was con- experience the fascination of "devil’s delights", which was firmed by the publicity gener- geology and to explore the highly appreciated during the ated in the media. natural environment and the final event, were created. history of the native region Under the heading "An expe- Katharina Weiskopf, Irmi Auer, was the idea of a common rience for all senses" the proj- Heinz Kollmann, Reinhard Mitterbaeck action by the Eisenwurzen Nature- and Geopark Eisenwurzen ect of the Primary School of Contact: [email protected]

9 G A .x 3221 1:0 Page10 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:50 in theNorth European 10 Pennines Geopark european ACTIVITIES GEOPARKS what itwas like tolive those legacies inthelandscapeof generations canseethese remains sothatweandfuture wanted toprotectwhat appeared completely;we would have crumbledanddis- the area.Over timethey the ageslived andworked in and howourancestorsdown story oftheNorthPennines taken togetherreally tellthe Partnership, "Thesebuildings the NorthPennines AONB According toJonCharltonof ple whobuiltandusedthem. built andthelives of thepeo- which thesestructureswere get aflavour ofthetimesin team, willenablevisitorsto in progressbytheGeopark with newinterpretationwork conservation work,coupled ruins ofthesebuildings.This to survey andconsolidatethe employ specialistcontractors the historicenvironment), to Government advisorybodyon Bentyfield LeadMines. remains ofWhitesyke and Muggleswick Grange andthe House, NinebanksTower, Monuments ofShildonEngine Scheduled Ancient taken theirtollonthe Centuries oficyweatherhave heritage. area's worldclassleadmining mately associatedwiththe including twobuildingsinti- most iconichistoricstructures, Pennines EuropeanGeopark's ed toprotectfour oftheNorth Work hasnowbeencomplet- Generations Saved forFuture Historic Buildings Heritage (the Fund andEnglish UK's HeritageLottery used funds fromthe Partnership) have Beauty (AONB) Outstanding Natural Pennines Areaof agers (theNorth The Geoparkman- which protectedthenetwork Cornish style pumpingengine built around1805tohouse a Shildon EngineHousewas Whitesyke Mine Shildon EngineHouseand Buildings inFocus- servation ofhistoricbuildings. used extensively inthecon- of limemortarpointing,now to train inthetraditional skill opportunities for localpeople taster days’ andweek-long gressed, therewereboth As theconsolidationworkpro- Skills Training Pennines history." to ourunderstandingofNorth and thiswilladdsubstantially Ninebanks andWhitesyke, work atShildon,Muggleswick, ciation withconsolidation are beingundertaken inasso- Archaeological investigations World HeritageSite). and DurhamCathedral (now a between theNorthPennines really importanthistoricallink Grange, for example,area remains ofMuggleswick more. The13thCentury ment consistsofmuch,much Geopark's historicenviron- incredibly important,the nants oftheleadindustryare heritage, andwhiletherem- renowned for itsleadmining North Pennines landscapeis AONB Partnership said:"The Environment Officer withthe Paul Frodsham,Historic text. significance inthewidercon- buildings wereusedandtheir new insightsintotheways the to uncover somefascinating archaeologists areexpecting on thesehistoricstructures, As partofthecontinuingwork heritage." these irreplaceablepiecesof the buildingownerssave working orpartnerstohelp past lives. We areproudtobe [email protected] Elizabeth Pickett tion. and leadmininginterpreta- and theprovision ofgeological tive consolidationofstructures detailed recordingandselec- Geopark team'sworkincludes mine level entrances. The a dressingfloorandseveral remains includeamine-shop, and 19thCenturies.The in theareaduring18th than 100leadminesoperating extensive complexofmore and onceformed partofan beautiful SouthTyne Valley, Mine Whitesyke andBentyfield Century leadminecomplexat The remainsofthe19th on-site interpretation. mineshaft andtheprovision of stonework, cappingofthe etation, consolidationofloose includes theclearance ofveg- The Geoparkteam'swork America. mining areasofAustralia and families emigrated tothegold abroad, andyoung Shildon began tobeimportedfrom mid-1800s whencheaperlead population declinedafterthe community of170people.The of aoncethrivingleadmining House isadramatic reminder derelict ever since.TheEngine years agoandhasbeen finally abandonedaround100 tion for miningfamilies. Itwas verted toprovide accommoda- the enginehousewas con- Following decommissioning, underneath fromflooding. of leadminesoperating lies intheremoteand Waren d ©NPAP/Elfie Northumberlan Blanchland, House near Shildon Engine the future: Conserved for G A .x 3221 1:1 Page11 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:51 Andalusia. Includedinthe values ofgeodiversity in grams anddisseminatethe environmental educationpro- Geoparks; andtodevelop programs such as Geositesor Andalusia ininternational tutional participationof model; topromotetheinsti- ate anintegrated business their sustainableuse;tocre- tion ofthesites;topromote actions toensureconserva- eight years, contains97 which isvalid for aperiodof The strategy document, Andalusia (IAG). Georesources Inventory of sists of588siteslistedinthe This heritage,currentlycon- regional geologicalheritage. potential basedonthe tional, scientificandcultural economic, tourism,educa- protecting andexploitingthe which definesmeasuresfor Integrated Management, Strategy for Geodiversity adopted theAndalusian The Goverment Councilhas development. potential for sustainable heritage anddeveloping its protection ofthegeological aimed atstrengtheningthe ument contains97actions geological heritage.Thedoc- integrated managementofits est inthelegalprotectionand tallizing aGovernment's inter- initiatives inEuropefor crys- in Andaluciaisoneofthefirst The Strategy for Geodiversity of Andalusia(Spain) Strategy forGeodiversity Integrated Management of Andalusia(Spain) Strategy forGeodiversity Integrated Management potential useofthisheritage Geodiversity emphasizes the the AndalusianStrategy for anteed byregionallegislation, logical heritage,alreadyguar- the conservation ofthegeo- In additiontostrengthening (Jaen). (Sevilla) orDespenaperros (Malaga), Sierra Norte Torcal deAntequera del RioTinto(Huelva), the Desert (Almeria),theCuenca Karst ofSorbasandTabernas Examples includetheGypsum for theirgeologicalvalues. which have beenrecognized are insideprotectedareas Many oftheinventoried sites National funds. financed fromEuropeanand development projects tools, aswellonrural and environmental planning territorial, urban,touristic ria for geologicalheritageon tection andassessmentcrite- on theincorporation ofpro- a groupofmeasuresfocusing The strategy willalsodevelop the geodiversity. products cataloguerelatedto the development ofalocal of aregionaldatabaseand ties withinsite;thecreation control theuseofandactivi- of specificlegalproceduresto mation points;thedefinition pretation centresandinfor- creation ofanetworkinter- ments withlandowners;the ment ofcooperation agree- actions are:theenhance- [email protected] Milagros Perez of Andalusia Government the Regional Approved by promoters. and businessestourism tific andtechnicalinstitutions ties, researchcentres,scien- zations, museums,universi- ment agencies,socialorgani- ment groups,localdevelop- tration bodies,rural develop- contributions fromadminis- Government Councilcontains October 2010bythe ment approved onthe 6 the tourismsector. Thedocu- development, especially in initiatives onsustainable rural for initiatingsocio-economic del Hierro landscape atCerra The karst

ACTIVITIES

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Geological Interpretation

ACTIVITIES in Andalusian Geoparks

The Andalusian Ministry of along these trails. Through de Gata-Nijar, or those areas Environment, has completed very clear texts and drawings, that are applying for mem- PARKS the first edition of the project people will be able to under- bership of the EGN, such as "New Trails in Andalusian stand the essential features Sierra Norte, in Seville or Rio Natural Parks". This initiative, of the Geology of the Park. Tinto in Huelva. undertaken by a multidiscipli- These initiatives serve as This innovative publication nary team, represents the examples of the continuous includes a revised and european GEO first step in standardizing the effort by the Andalusian improved map for each trail, existing trails with the Ministry of the Environment comprehensive information towards including the on how to reach the trail, Cabo de Gata - Nijar "Integrated Management available services such as Strategy for Geodiversity in public transport, parking and & Sierras Subbeticas Andalucia" in its general proj- nearby tracks. ects and in areas already des- Geoparks ignated as Geoparks, Milagros Perez e.g.Sierras Subbeticas, Cabo [email protected] Andalusian Mountaineering Federation in order to pro- mote this public facility and extend its scope on an inter- national level. In the case of the two Andalusian Geoparks the EGN logo was included on the trail documents and, in both areas close collaboration with the scientific staff resulted in updating and enhancing the geological heritage compo- nent of trails within these unique natural areas. Twenty one trails have been updated in the the two Geoparks (15 in Cabo de Gata-Nijar and 8 in Sierras Subbeticas). Several interpretive panels focusing on the geological heritage, written in two lan- guages, are being installed

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Exploring the sion, and even beach art! In volcanic the evenings they ascended landscape of the granite of Ronas Hill - Eshaness and - inset - Shetland's highest point - and ACTIVITIES posters made an exciting journey developed by through the 'Land of Rock' the pupils with climber Pete Richardson. Participating pupils were awarded a John Muir Award in

recognition of their awareness PARKS and responsibility for wild places. They explored curricu- Geopark lar themes of Citizenship and Geopark Sustainability as they consid-

ered the economic importance european GEO of Shetland's geology as part of a growing tourist industry, ShetlandShetland and how best to conserve this Inspiring enthusiasm for riculum and ShEEP now has geological heritage. Building Shetland's dramatic and an active presence on 'Glow' - on this suc- diverse geology is one of the the national schools intranet cess, another Celebrates its key aims of Geopark Shetland for Scotland. taught unit and awareness of Shetland's May 2010 saw the inaugural and field trip in Spectacular geology and its strong links 'ShEEPDIP' (Discover 2011 will with the natural and cultural Interesting Places) event, explore the and Diverse heritage of the islands is which will now be an annual links between steadily growing. activity. Over 100 children geology and The Geopark celebrated from 6 schools took part in biodiversity in Geology European Geoparks Week in two days of activities to pro- Unst. Pupils partnership with the increas- mote outdoor learning and will generate podcasts to ingly high profile Shetland environmental awareness and share their knowledge and Nature Festival, and worked the event was voted a big suc- experiences with the wider closely with the Scottish cess in a show of hands from public. Anderson High School Geology Forum in the delivery all participants. in Lerwick has been participat- of events for the Scottish Geopark Shetland held work- ing in the Scottish Schools Geology Festival. Through shops and activities at several Seismology project. talks, walks, family activity primary schools. One event Custodians of their very own days, and a popular annual was arranged by the pupils seismometer, students have Geology Course, delivered by themselves, who were formed an 'Earthquake Watch' the Geopark Shetland inspired by the eruption of club and have been com- endorsed 'Shetland Geotours', Eyafjallajokull in Iceland. mended on the data they have the Geopark message is Other site visits and activities, collected by the British spreading. tailored to pupils with special Geological Survey. The recent introduction of the needs, were delivered as part For more information visit Discovering the properties of new Curriculum for Excellence of a Council operated www.geoparkshetland.org.uk Shetland Rocks in Scottish schools challenged playscheme. Most notably, the Robina Barton as pupils make Geopark Shetland to find ways Geopark worked closely with [email protected] siltstone knives of best supporting this High Schools and teachers at ShEEP DIP approach to education, with from Lerwick and Unst its emphasis on cross-curricu- (Britain's most northerly lar working. In 2009 the island), to develop a teaching Geopark became one of the unit and a two day field trip founding members of the focusing on the volcanic land- Shetland Environmental scape of Eshaness. Education Partnership - a The field trip, described by forum for local environmental one pupil as 'epic!', was based organizations to work togeth- around 'Shetland's volcano'- er on educational projects and one of the Geopark Shetland ideas. ShEEP collaborated on self-guide trails series. Pupils a schools information folder, explored the formation of detailing the education activi- parts of the Eshaness ties offered by all members Peninsula through scientific and their links with the cur- investigation, group discus-

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Celebrating

ACTIVITIES Past Biodiversity in the Lesvos PARKS Petrified Forest

Palaeontology is a popular sci- Petrified Forest organised the ence and the remains of temporary exhibition "Fossils european GEO extinct organisms usually of the Aegean - Mammal impress people and especially Biodiversity: from the children. Deinothere of the Lesvos "Fossils of the But how can Petrified Forest to the Man of we explain the the Petralona Cave". The Aegean - Mammal importance of exhibition, from July 2010 to the occurrence August 2011, was comple- Biodiversity: of fossils and mented by educational pro- from the Deinothere vertebrate grammes for children of all remains, ages. It presents fossils of 40 of the Lesvos including the mammals which lived in the the nature and appearance of Impresive bones and the Aegean region during the animals only on the basis of fossils from Petrified Forest teeth of past 23 million years, includ- fossil remains. Furthermore, excavations all over extinct ani- ing huge mastodons, scary the information presented to the Man of the Greece are mals, to visi- machairodonts, three-toed focuses on the interpretation presented Petralona Cave" tors to our horses, long- and short- of various morphologies of in the Geoparks? necked giraffes, small hippos the teeth and bones of the exhibition How do they enable us to and dwarf elephants. All of four main orders of large interpret the past? these fossils are the property mammals including carni- Schoolchildren In order to demonstrate the of the Museum of Geology vores, odd toed hoofed mam- participate past biodiversity in the and Palaeontology (University mals (perissodactyls e.g. in educational Aegean region, and as a con- of Thessaloniki), the Natural programmes which horses), even toed hoofed help them to learn tribution to celebrating "2010 History Museum of Crete, the mammals (artiodactyls e.g. about the past - International Year of Natural History Museum of pigs and hippopotamuses) biodiversity Biodiversity", the Natural Milia Grevenon, and the and proboscideans (e.g. ele- through fun History Museum of the Lesvos Municipality of Rethymnon. phants). This constitutes the activities The tropical and subtropical key to understanding the link forests, dry savannahs and between an animal's anatom- frozen tundra that successive- ical features and lifestyle, and ly covered the Aegean area of mammalian evolution and and provided environmental adaptation of animals to a niches for the animals on dis- constantly changing environ- play are presented through ment. reconstructions, whereas The exhibition was visited by videos illustrate the way in many tourists, local people which excavation techniques and schools of the island of are used to recover these fos- Lesvos. Through activities sils. appropriate to their individual Each fossil is illustrated by a levels of knowledge, children poster with an interpretation learned about past faunas of the technical information and ecosystems and about published in scientific journals the importance of the Aegean and, more importantly, pro- region for the study of past vide the description of the and present biodiversity, as animal and its habits based on well as about the mechanisms illustrations derived from text of evolution on our planet. books on palaeontology. Laypersons would find it diffi- Katerina Vasileiadou cult to interpret and visualize [email protected]

14 G A .x 3221 1:1 Page15 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:51 site inGalve Cerradicas facility for visitors in footprint dinosaur The new Las in MaestrazgoGeopark territorial identity A decadepromoting Symposium onGeology. for presentationatthe16 Summer University ofTeruel, Development" courseofthe the "Palaeontology & Geopark wereorganisedfor geological resourcesofthe in 2010,guidedvisitstothe al specialisedmeetings.Also been discussedininternation- These achievements have quarry. Dinopolis intheGalve clay palaeontologists from have beendiscovered bythe Cretaceous dinosaurfossils Also, several newLower Aragon Government in2010. site, wereinstalledbythe ing thecharacteristics ofthe together withpanelsexplain- an observation platform fossiliferous strata, aroofand tion andconservation ofthe visitors. Aftercareful prepara- resulted innewfacilities for footprints siteinGalve, has Cerradicas dinosaurfossil project initiatedin2005atLas the Maestrazgo Geopark.A raising publicawareness in the geologicalheritageand achieved intheprotectionof outstanding resultshave been Following tenyears ofwork, th through thecreationof a method ofnetworking the launchingofanew raising publicawareness was 2010 Geoparkprojectsfor tional milestoneamongthe Perhaps the mostunconven- Matas. agents was held in Masdelas course aimedatlocaltourist addition, anintroductory the wholeofSpainin2010.In ebrated for thefirsttimein in 2005Aliagaandwas cel- al public.Thiswas launched event designed for thegener- Spanish "day ofGeology",an Castellote. Geolodiaisthe rocks neartheroadto layer ofUpperCretaceous dinosaurs, arevisibleina attributed totheropod forty tridactyl footprints, ed inAbenfigo, whereabout Week. Geolodiawas celebrat- during EuropeanGeoparks schools withintheGeopark introduced palaeontologyto Palaeontologists visitedand Europe. Regional Working GroupSW First MeetingofProGEO conference fieldtripofthe included inthespecialpost- Teaching andwerealso teachers inLasCerradicassite palaeontological heritagetopupils and Palaeontologists fromDinopolis explainthe Geolodia 10inAbenfigo Geopark Cornerdescribingtheactivity Angel Hernandez Luis Alcala Geoparks Network. the membersofEuropean to foster networkingbetween potential visitorsandsecondly Geopark's stakeholders and of knowledgebetweenthe to encourage theinterchange to sendcontributions-firstly online editions).We invite you in theGeopark(inpaperand ical significanceorofactivities photograph ofsitesgeolog- 2010, ashortarticleand has published,since4July newspaper DiariodeTeruel, Maestrazgo, theprovincial media. Inthecaseof Geopark sectioninthelocal [email protected] [email protected]

ACTIVITIES

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The traditional harvest of salt in Subbetica

ACTIVITIES Salt from Tethys Sea

More than 200 million years An example of sustainable use ago, when the first dinosaurs walked on Earth, large of Geological Heritage from the PARKS amounts of salt were deposit- ed in the warm and shallow Sierras Subbeticas Geopark waters of the so-called Tethys Sea. Buried by later sedi- used this under-promoted mits enjoyment of the geo- ments, all these deposits product, cooking salt, to pres- logical heritage through the european GEO were dragged, folded, bro- ent the amazing story of the sense of taste, its flavour and ken, and elevated above sea geological history of a "geo- its antiquity. This helps to cre- level during the Alpine phase logical product". "Salt from ate public awareness of the of mountain building. Tethys Sea" is a natural cook- importance of this ancient Nowadays, in Subbetica, ing salt, soft and tasty, with heritage. when water seeps through no additives, harvested only In addition other benefits are the ground, it dissolves by hand. Its exploitation is derived from the project, becoming slowly enriched in environmentally sustainable such as the survival and this ancient salt which is and poses no harm to the maintenance of a traditional buried in the interior of the environment because it is not activity which is in danger of mountains. This dissolved salt an extractive activity. The disappearing. The project emerges in natural brine mineral emerges sponta- ensures the preservation of springs that give rise to salty neously at the surface, dis- an ethnological legacy associ- streams and rivers. On the solved in water, and evapora- ated with saltworks. boundary of Sierras tion is achieved only through With each bag of "Salt from Subbeticas Natural Park, the energy source of the sun. Tethys Sea" the visitor takes a close to the little village of The salt is packed in attrac- product from our land, a part Rute, white saltpans are sur- tive 500 gram bags of natural of our tradition, of our pres- rounded by green olive cotton that bear a label ent and our most distant groves. This unexpected explaining its geological ori- past, which is extracted with landscape is part of a long gin. the maximum respect for story including the time when The "Salt from Tethys Sea" Nature. This initiative helps Man appeared on the scene project complies with the phi- inhabitants and visitors to to extract this indispensable losophy of the European understand the essence of a substance. Salt exploitation in Geoparks Network and aims Geopark and the many bene- Subbetica has provided its to achieve the following fits it can offer. inhabitants with the precious goals, through the sustain- A visit to San Juan mineral since time immemori- Baldomero Moreno Arroyo able use of a geological Alicia Serna Barquero de Dios, guided by al, in a territory about 90 kilo- the owner of this resource: [email protected] inland saltworks metres away from the nearest To promote local [email protected] (European coast. development: small local Geoparks The Subbeticas Geopark has businesses benefit from their Week 2009) close collaboration with the Geopark, resulting in the design of touristic "geological products". To promote educa- tion: through the information contained in the label on the bags of salt. This explains basic geological concepts. This product is then used for environmental education in the territory, and increases the general understanding on Subbetica's geological history. To promote the geo- A bag of logical heritage: This salt per- "Salt from Tethys Sea"

16 EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:52 Page 17 n Luberon Geopark ACTIVITIES A new fossil site of PARKS mammal footprints The public and scientists Mammal fossil footprints pro- known for the existence of More than 30 people came to

visit the vide rare evidence of animal early Oligocene trackways of meet the two specialists, and european GEO excavation site behaviour and of the exis- odd-toed ungulate (hoofed to talk about mammal foot- tence of faunas in areas animals such as horses) which prints, other fossils from the where no or few body fossils occur on three different levels. Luberon area, the evolution of are known. In total, the The new trackway which was mammals and the geological world-wide record of mammal made by a rhinoceros was dis- heritage. footprints is scarce, with covered in the uppermost Afterwards, Research and fewer than 80 known locali- lacustrine calcareous beds of the group vis- ties. the Calcaires de La Fayette ited the clay dissemination The relatively small area of Formation. quarry to view the Parc Naturel Regional du Given the paucity of the and discuss of information Luberon, European & Global world's record of mammal the Eocene- Geopark, contains eight sites footprints, new discoveries Oligocene to the general that yielded several hundred are always important and sequence, the footprints. In April 2010, a sci- shed light on the faunas that new rhinocer- public entific excavation led to the lived in an area. The foot- os trackway discovery of a new site. A prints testify to the presence and other levels with foot- public event was organized to of mammal faunas at a period prints. This provided an share this discovery with the when no or very few fossil opportunity to introduce the inhabitants of the Geopark. bones are recorded and richness of the region and an The site during excavation This quarry was already bridge the gap in the fossil understanding of aspects of record between the known geology such as sedimenta- late Eocene and middle tion, fossilization and dating Oligocene faunas. This break of rocks to in the fossil record coincides members of with the famous Eocene- the general Oligocene transition when a public. large renewal of the European The Parc faunas, known as the "Grand Naturel Coupure", took place. The Regional du new fossil trackway discov- Luberon, ered in spring 2010 is situated European & a few meters above the Global Eocene-Oligocene boundary, Geopark, is a and testifies to the presence place where of small advanced science is alive. Research ."Cafe scientifique" rhinocerotids during this time projects involving palaeontol- in Viens interval. Interestingly it also ogy have already been com- represents one of the longest pleted and new projects are trackways in the world for being developed for the odd-toed ungulates! future. For all projects, we try Following the scientific exca- to build a bridge between sci- vation, we organized to entists and the local inhabi- organize a "Cafe scientifique" tants to encourage them to in the village of Viens. This take ownership of their geo- kind of gathering allows peo- logical heritage. ple to meet scientists and to speak about scientific issues Stephane Legal [email protected] Christine Balme [email protected] in a relaxed environment. Loic Costeur [email protected]

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"Via sive geological features along the trail are the "blockfields" and the "blockstream" of Pian-fretto and Torbiera del

ACTIVITIES GeoAlpina" Laione. The trail through the central plain area of Pian del trail Fretto crosses the blockfield front which is characterised by huge piled up masses of

PARKS angular boulders. Introduction Sciences by providing walkers During the last five years the with trans-alpine itineraries. The "Pratorotondo-Passo Beigua Geopark Management The trail descriptions can be del Faiallo" trail Board introduced a structured accessed and downloaded The geological features of the

european GEO network of trails, interpreta- from the "Via GeoAlpina" area are associated with tion facilities (www.viageoalpina.org) or imposing exposures of ser- Beigua and info- are available from the tourism pentinites. These metamor- points to pro- offices of Nature Parks and phic rocks originated in the Geopark's mote the Geoparks. Earth's mantle and are linked knowledge of Beigua Geopark contributed with processes which led to contribution the local geo- to the development of the the formation and subse- logical, bio- "Via GeoAlpina" project by quent closure of the Ligurian- to discovering logical, cul- designing two geological Piedmontese Ocean during tural and his- trails. the Alpine orogeny. The trail the Alpine torical her- allows walkers to appreciate itage of its The "Via Geoalpina" trail the complex geological struc- Geological territory. in the Beigua Geopark ture of the Tyrrhenian slope, Among these The route which is a few km more specifically, of the valley Heritage trails, the away from the Ligurian Sea parallel to the sea which progresses in an approxi- extends from the residential mately SW-NE direction at a area of Sciarborasca in the constant altitude of about west up to Arenzano in the 1000 m. The approximately east. The geomorphology is 20 km trail consists of two significant for the whole one-day walks. The itinerary Tyrrhenian margin and is developed for each trail is linked to the creation of the easily achievable by both Gulf of Liguria and with the expert and amateur hikers formation of horst and graben especially during spring. structures which was initiated Snow and ice make these during the Pliocene Epoch trails more difficult to walk between 5.33 and 1.8 million during the winter months. years ago. Several interpretative panels positioned along the trails Matteo Vacchi1, Marco Firpo2, explain the geological and Cristiano Queirolo3 & Maurizio Burlando4 biological heritage of the 1. [email protected] 2. [email protected] The blockstream 3. [email protected] 4. [email protected] of Pianfretto and "Via Geoalpina" launched in area. The starting point for the associated 2010 within the framework of both walks is located in interpretative the International Year of Pratorotondo, where a panel Planet Earth (IYPE) was of Geopark Info-Point provides a The Via Geoalpina trail in the Beigua Geopark particular importance. short account focusing on the Austria, France, Germany, geological features of this Italy, Slovenia and part of the Geopark. Switzerland worked together to produce the trail which The "Pratorotondo" trail affords tourists and hikers of The trail begins with a wide all ages an opportunity to dis- dirt track, recently adapted cover the Earth's secrets by for use by wheelchairs, lead- following a trail through the ing to the Casa Miniera entire Alpine chain. The com- Shelter. This component of mon aim was to offer an the trail coincides precisely alternative and conscious way with the Ligure-Padano to get in touch with Earth watershed. The most impres-

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A view of the always Madonie Geopark ACTIVITIES respected and loved landscape in the Madonie Geopark PARKS Architecture of the landscape:

opportunities for new european GEO activities in the Madonie Park

In the year 2009 the Madonie Regional Park real- ized three projects, financed by the "Ministero dell' Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare". These involved 120 young people from the Madonie Geopark in various activities relating to tourism, biodiver- A sulphur vein in the Madonie sity and the natural and cul- Park. This geosite tural heritage and its protec- provides an tion. opportunity to In addition to cultural and consider the architectural issues all nature and signif- icance of aspects of the environmental hydrothermal heritage were considered processes including geology, botany and geomorphology. the various organisms which the Madonie Park. Architectural and other maps populated the area through In addition to the purely sci- were produced to illustrate time including the fossils of entific attributes of geosites the distribution of geosites, animals associated with we must also not ignore fire hazards and the architec- modern coral reefs. There human and historical factors tural heritage. are also sites in which the and the bond that has always In 2001 the Madonie Park landscape provides breath- existed between architecture was accepted as a member taking panoramas and areas and the geology at some of the European Geoparks where particular rocks are sites. Network on account of its found. One senses how geology can geological uniqueness and The rocks and fossils which be used as a leitmotif for the natural and environmen- occur at sites in our territory, constructing itineraries link- tal beauty of the territory. called geosites, reveal ing archaeology, architec- The fifteen communes in the aspects of the Earth's history ture, history and culture in Park contain a very varied and provide new catalysts for the Geopark, in a sustainable and fascinating geological developing tourism in the and eco-compatible way, heritage. The rocks and fos- Geopark and for the Madonie allowing the tourists visiting sils found among the peaks communities. In collabora- our territory to address com- of the Madonie Geopark tion with the Sicilian pletely new themes and to reveal the story of their his- Regional Gevernment, the discover the fascinating sto- tory from 230 million years geologists in one of our proj- ries that nature gives us. ects concentrated on the ago to the present day. They Geol. Francesca Quagliana, cooperator with the can be used to explain geo- theme of geo-tourism and project 65 "Programma Triennale per la Tutela logical concepts such as the have produced a survey of Ambientale PTTA 94-96" financed by the birth of a mountain chain, approximately 60 geo-sites "Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del and to reveal the nature of situated in the communes of Territorio e del Mare". [email protected]

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Sobrarbe ACTIVITIES Geopark

PARKS First Intensive Course in european GEO Geological Heritage and Geodiversity work were scheduled and A stop accommodation for students, at Boltana anticline, One branch of geology that inadequately. teachers and their classes one of the has developed considerably With the aim of providing rig- was organized in Morillo de geosites of in recent years deals with orous up-to-date training and Tou, a small Pyrenean village Sobrarbe concepts such as geological taking advantage of the best resort near Mediano Geopark heritage and geodiversity, features of the Sobrarbe Reservoir which hosts the and their application to geo- Geopark, the Geological and Sobrarbe Geopark partner- Interpreting tourism through outreach Mining Institute of Spain ship enterprises programme. alpine tectonics and education. In this (IGME) and the Sobrarbe On the first day the students in Bielsa Geopark co-organized the were introduced to the spec- first intensive course in geo- tacular geology of Sobrarbe, logical heritage and geodiver- a key region in the under- sity, which was held from 6th standing of the Pyrenees. -10th September 2010. The The second day was devoted course is recognized as one to practical exercises at dif- of the free choices of credits ferent geological sites and by the University of the students visited visitor Saragossa. Twenty one stu- centres in the Geopark and dents from various parts of the National Park of Ordesa y Spain, mainly geologists and Monte Perdido. Later, the geology undergraduate stu- students attended workshops dents, attended a number of and presented their findings lectures and practical ses- to the rest of their team- respect the training provided sions over five days which mates in a series of interest- by geology departments in addressed these issues. In ing discussions. schools and universities is addition to its theoretical The final assessment of the t Pupils listen to still far from adequate, and content, the course covered course by both the students somegeological many professionals some- numerous examples of work and the coordinators was explanations times handle these concepts involved in producing inven- in Torla very positive and a second tories of geosites, conveying course is already being pre- experiences concerning geo- pared for 2011. All informa- conservation and geo- tion concerning the course tourism, raising awareness in will soon be available on the the general public and websites of the Sobrarbe among teachers of Earth sci- Geopark (www.geopar- ences in schools and colleges quepirineos.com) and the . The World of Geoparks was IGME (www.igme.es). a subject of particular inter- est explaining the activities of the European and Global Anchel Belmonte Ribas (Sobrarbe Geopark) Geoparks Networks and the [email protected] Sobrarbe Geopark. Luis Carcavilla Urqui (IGME) In addition, two days of field [email protected]

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The protec- tion of Gardunha granite

landscapes Naturtejo Geopark acts for ACTIVITIES and geosites is a matter of concern for Naturtejo a sustainable environment Geopark

The Naturtejo Geopark team include the ProTejo project cane crops for biofuels, PARKS together with its partners is which supports initiatives for replacing tobacco crops and developing two different the sustainable management giving a new breath-of-life to methods for raising public of river waters, and the MUNN the local agriculture, which is awareness about sustainable and AZU citizen movements once again producing "tradi- land use and the increase of which oppose uranium mining tional" crops such as water- european GEO human pressure on local natu- in the Geopark. melon. Since 2004 Proenca-a- ral resources. The first The second method is focused Nova municipality has devel- method involves education for on the regional and municipal oped a pioneer project in environmental sustainability. co-management of the Portugal using the volunteer It interprets temporal changes Geopark's territory and is carbon market to create a in the landscape through geo- aimed at reducing the carbon positive balance of 36,167 tourism activities and the footprint and consideration of tons of CO2 stored in the local Geopark's educational pro- the environmental impact of forest. Credits sold can grammes. Examples of initia- energy-related industries. finance the management of tives developed are the edu- Every Year 1100 GWh/ are forest and energy efficiency cational off-road Trans-geop- produced in the territory policies in public projects. ark and the local school con- through sources of renewable Castelo Branco city is also a test "Climate Change and energy (reservoirs, wind and pioneer in the development of Biodiversity" developed in biomass power plants) provid- the MOBI.E national network 2010 with the support of the ing electricity for 750,000 of electric vehicles charging National Commission for inhabitants (90,000 living in stations, with slow charging UNESCO. But the most effec- the territory), associated with points which use the excess tive event in the territory is a reduction in CO2 emissions electricity produced by local the Boom Festival, at Idanha- by 600,000 tons. Two bio- wind power plants during the a-Nova Reservoir. This annual mass plants and 131 wind tur- night. In 2010, Naturtejo international dance music and bines in four wind power Geopark was awarded the art summer festival used plants represent 195 MW National Environment Prize by water as its theme in 2010. based on renewable sources. the Federation of National Visit to the new viewpoint This event was recognized by Naturtejo Geopark supports Environment Associations, of Portas de the United Nations as one of the project to enlarge the and the Gold Medal of Tourism Almourao with the ten most important envi- Gardunha wind farm in order Merit, by the Secretary of the secretaries ronmental-related music festi- to preserve the granite land- State for Tourism, for its com- of the state of vals and a leader in develop- forms. The Geopark is also mitment to establish a balance the environ- Boom Festival ment and ing sustainable solutions. In contributing, decisively, to between the protection of the is a sustainable tourism, and 2011 the Boom Festival was save Portas de Almourao environment and the sustain- music and art the directors of recognized as the most eco- Geomonument from a 363 able management of econom- event. 115,000 the Electricity logical festival in the European million € project to build the ical activities. litres of local of Portugal for Festival Awards. Naturtejo Alvito Dam, by changing the bottled water the signing an Geopark also has a deep com- location of the dam and Carlos Neto de Carvalho & was consumed agreement to Joana de Castro Rodrigues by 20,000 protect the mitment to environmentally- becoming directly involved in [email protected], people from geosite related NGO's. Examples the Environmental Mitigation [email protected] 70 countries and Remediation Programme. EDP together with Naturtejo Geopark are developing proj- ects for valuing the natural and cultural heritage of Almourao geosite and sur- rounding landscape. Idanha-a-Nova, the municipal- ity which was designated as the best environment to live in Portugal in 2010, is supporting the development of sugar

21 EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:52 Page 22

Left: Tourists walking on Lares Glacier attending a didactical activity in the Park Right: …Studying "Megalodon", the guide fossil of the Dolomia ACTIVITIES Principale Adamello Brenta Geopark

PARKS Action Plan Due to the nature of its geo- improve its performance; logical heritage, a policy for ensure the revalidation of sustainable development the Geopark following 4 years european GEO implemented through the of membership of the EGN. European Charter for In addition to providing a Sustainable Tourism, and an guideline for the implementa- agenda involving environ- tion of a 4- year programme, mental education, training the action plan defines a and scientific research activi- comprehensive programme ties, the Adamello Brenta as part of the activities of the Nature Park became a mem- EGN which, if necessary, can in the Geopark involves Schoolchildren in front of ber of the European Geoparks which, if necessary, can effective cooperation with the Geological Society of giants' pots Network in 2008. involve applying for funding studying the Safeguarding and exploiting for projects (.e.g. INTER- Trento and the Tridentino geomorphology the value of a geological envi- REG). Museum of Natural Sciences. of the Geopark Students observing ronmental heritage repre- In particular the action plan A long term, robust, realistic the Nardis sents an important challenge will have to pursue the fol- and inclusive action plan is an waterfalls, within important instrument for the an extraordinary and a considerable commit- lowing goals: development of such a com- example of ment requiring an adequate a balance between differ- hanging valley, action plan. For this reason ent sectors such as conserva- plex organization as the during the Park's the Geopark has produced an tion, research and develop- Adamello Brenta Geopark. environmental action plan to develop a pro- ment; project "One day on the Park: gramme designed to: identification of the actions geology and support and encourage the to be undertaken in the geomorphology of identity of the Adamello Geopark area and definition Genova Brenta Geopark during its of the priorities; Valley" start-up phase; resources planning. The action plan is divided into by three strategic components: conservation, scientific research and interpretation. The promotion of the geolog- ical heritage through various Geotourist in forms of communication, The Action Plan must provide a source of reference for front of an including the media, repre- interpretive sents an important tool for implementing the strategic panel telling ensuring the conservation components of the Geopark the story "To and protection of the geolog- in order to ensure its contin- the discovery ued development. of the passed ical heritage. Glacier" Interpretation tools include Thanks to the action plan, the the new "Guided Geo-foot- strategic importance of the paths", which can involve Geopark has Adamello Brenta guided walks, a guide book of Nature Parkhas been officially walks and interpretative pan- acknowledgedand the main els. The Geopark's mascot is actions planned will be used for explaining the geolo- included in its A n n u a l gy of the Adamello Brenta Management Programme. Geopark to children and the The action plan can be down- provision of a virtual tour loaded from the Park's web- allows visitors to fly over the site: www.pnab.it/en. mountain groups of the Mase Vajolet Geopark. Scientific research [email protected]

22 G A .x 3221 1:3 Page23 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:53 by RogerRigorth Qiu (PRChina/ bench" byPing The mushroom "The templeof "Chinese vase" light" byJens (Switzerland) Switzerland) (Germany) Meyer Right: Left: Langkawi (Malaysia), inaddi- Lushan (PRChina)and Odenwald (Germany), Mt. tions inBergstrasse- tion panels,Geoparkexhibi- tories togetherwithinforma- friendship rocksinbothterri- workshops, theerectionof ship. ThisincludesGeopark the different areasofpartner- exchange visitstodevelop have initiatedprojectsand Since 2007, bothterritories and publicinformation. infrastructure, geo-education management, visitorservices, ment ofgeotourismproducts, of issuessuchasthedevelop- which includesawiderange tract inSeptember2007, mented apartnershipcon- Odenwald (Germany) imple- China) andBergstrasse- Geoparks Mt.Lushan(PR this purposetheGlobal Geoparks Network(GGN).For 77 membersoftheGlobal most importanttasksfor the Cooperation isoneofthe & globalcooperationthroughart Communicating partnership framework ofthe3 ing oftheForest Arttrail, the conference andtheopen- from allcontinents.During included 150Participants Mountain Conference and conjunction withthe2 Conference. Thiswas heldin International Forest Art 12 The trail was openedonthe sions of"ThePoetic Forest". site -theirpersonalimpres- of thisnatural andcultural developed theiruniqueviews together for threeweeksand tourists, theartistsworked Observed byvisitorsand forest ofMt.Lushan. the yellow dragon trail inthe lations directlyonsitealong create theirspecialartinstal- tries inSeptember2010to twelve artistsfromsixcoun- Mt. Lushan,theIFA invited Hosted bytheGlobalGeopark kunst.com). hensive website(www.wald- trail, aswellonacompre- logues for eachForest Art gual (German/English)cata- work isdocumentedinbilin- from allover theworld.The with morethan100artists and hasworked successfully trails inEuropeandtheUSA implemented sixForest Art Since 2002,theIFA has Odenwald Geopark. partner oftheBergstrasse- Association (IFA), whichisa International Forest Art and includedthe Global GeoparkMt.Lushan, and October2010inthe occurred duringSeptember The latestcooperation project conferences. tions duringinternational and delivering jointpresenta- tion toproducingpublications th of October, underthe nd rd [email protected] 3 GlobalGeoparkMt.Lushan (PRChina), (Germany), 2 InternationalForestArtAssociation (Germany), 1 GlobalGeoparkBergstrasse-Odenwald Jutta Weber by UNESCO. which arestronglysupported activities ofGlobalGeoparks, accordance withthemain for theirGeoparksandalso in ing asinnovative andfruitful their experienceofcooperat- tures. Bothpartnersregard and twofromwesterncul- summer -twofromeastern Geopark Mt.Lushanevery Residency intheGlobal tinued throughanArtist The cooperation willbecon- lished in2011. in progressandwillbepub- (German/English/Chinese) is in threelanguages The productionofacatalogue (www.forestartchina.com). page inEnglishandChinese documented onaspecialweb as welltheconference is Geopark Mt.Lushan.TheTrail a newhighlightintheGlobal people, andisconsideredas than 200,000 visited bymore trail hasbeen Meanwhile, the people. nature and between art, connection ing theholistic view concern- philosophical thetic and Trail" hasopenedanewaes- nature. The"Poetic Forest ing thelinkbetweenartsand approaches tocommunicat- world exchanged their tioners fromallover the artists, scientistsandpracti- [email protected] [email protected] 1 , UteRitschel Germany Odenwald, Bergstrasse- PR China& Mt. Lushan, Global Geoparks 2 and ZhuDongE

ACTIVITIES

23 european 3 GEOPARKS Geopark, NickPowe Geopark) welcomes G A .x 3221 1:3 Page24 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:53 Conservation Hong Strengthening the sister partnership Kong SAR)tothe (Chair ofEnglish with HongKong Global Geopark English Riviera Riviera Global Fisheries and Agriculture, (Director of Alan Wong 24 european ACTIVITIES GEOPARKS and spendingintheresort. decline invisitornumbers new meansfor reversing the strategy andregardedasa area's destinationtourism securely placedwithinthe sector, theGeoparkisnow support fromthetourism dents. Inaddition,withwide civic prideamongstitsresi- belonging andasenseof ture topromoteasenseof landscape, heritageandcul- ty tousetherichgeology, Geopark offers anopportuni- nomic regeneration. The tourism andsustainableeco- community benefits,quality seen asastrategic driver for much more.TheGeoparkis geological conservation, itis Geopark isnotsimplyabout the EnglishRiviera Global As withallGlobalGeoparks, Global Geopark" in theEnglishRiviera "What's happening land. Bynighttheybrought and singingsongsaboutthe ing, creating,tellingstories groups ofallages,research- interacted withcommunity of oneweek.Byday they the Geoparkover thecourse ney ofexploration through embark onanamazingjour- three artists,theGeo-trio, Inspire Mark.Geoquestsaw awarded itsprestigious 2012 Cultural Olympiadand recognised bytheLondon cess of2010was Geoquest, round butthegreatestsuc- Events take placeallyear online atwww.Amazon.co.uk. The guidecanbepurchased incredible humanhistory. versity, andshapedits marine andterrestrialbiodi- the remarkablydiverse cal heritagehasinfluenced resort's outstandinggeologi- guide highlighthowthe Geopark. Boththefilmand to theEnglishRiviera Global fully illustrated Official Guide then reappearinthebeauti- ters developed for thefilm and live action.Thecharac- rg.uk) combininganimation www.englishrivieargeopark.o short film(accessiblevia creative sector toproducea with thelocalcommunity and mind, theGeoparkworked been essential.Withthatin 400 millionyears tolife has Geopark's storiesofthelast Working tobringthe pening ontheground? So what'sactuallybeenhap- private, and voluntary sector. bined strengthofthepublic, the commitmentandcom- a workingpartnership, and cess hascomeasaresultof the credit.Ultimately, suc- Geopark alonecannottake All-in-all abusytimebutthe platform. flying-walkway andviewing ing aspectacularilluminated Victorian gardensandcreat- cliff face, rejuvenating clear andsecureaprominent three-year, £3mproject,to tions marked theendofa seafront, aday ofcelebra- Gardens onTorquay tation. At Royal Terrace with stateoftheartinterpre- the way peopleexperienceit, Berry Head'sheritage,and was designedtorejuvenate a 3-year £1.8mprogramme it Berry Head,Brixham.Part of cafe have beenopenedat Geopark VisitorCentreand Meanwhile, anexcellent new rocks! igneous andmetamorphic introduction tosedimentary, Rock Song"beingagreat been recorded,the"Basic as partofthejourney, have Geoquest songs,developed Geopark website.The recorded inphotosonthe The purefun ofGeoquestis walks andtheatricalshows. series offreeperformance those storiestolife ina [email protected] Melanie Border Torquay Seafront platform at Gardens viewing Royal Terrace admires thenew (foreground) Stewart Professor Iain Geopark, Riviera Global the English Left: Patronof available Geopark isnow Riviera Global the English Official Guideto Right: The t ' EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:53 Page 25

w Left: 'Sara during the Stone Age while g Sandstone's' 'Lara Limestone' boasts about story told by her fine fossils and also that t the voice of a you will find her in your writ- young girl ing paper and in your tooth ACTIVITIES paste. Geology is not impor- Right: Age before tant only for geologists, but beauty? The for all of us on a daily basis! time relations in Our rock family now has its rock, youngest own exhibition on PARKS 'Fred Flint' on Jomfruland, the outermost the top island in Gea Norvegica. This island is part of an end moraine from the last Ice

Gea Norvegica Age, the big Ra-moraine, bor- european GEO dering the whole of Scandinavia. In this area all Geopark the different rocks are pres- ent in boulders carried by the ice and rounded by the telling stories waves. Inside the exhibition you can read the stories, meet the rocks, touch them about rocks and move them around. This educational tool was Gea Norvegica Geopark in exciting story to tell. About a intended for children. We Norway has a very long geo- different landscape, about have found that this exhibi- logical story. The rocks in the another climate in different tion is successful for a lot of Geopark show considerable latitudes and about what it is different target groups. Even variation in terms of their like to become a sandstone. geologist enjoy 'Anders ages and diverse origins. It is also a story about Amphibolite' when he his Because of the ice ages and resources, about her younger bragging about his red gar- associated transport of rock cousins out in the North Sea nets or 'Carl Conglomerate' material, we also have many who house the hydrocarbons when he explains the differ- "inhabitants" from elsewhere so vital to our life style. ence between him and 'Sara in southern Norway. This 'Ragna Rhomb-Porphyry' and Sandstone'. The possibilities large family of rocks with all 'Lars Larvikite' are associated with our rocks are almost its different "brothers, sisters with volcanoes and deep endless. We put them on a and cousins" is used to magmatic processes. Difficult map, we arrange them explain the diversity of geo- processes, but made easier to according to origin, to age, logical processes. understand when we use dif- look at different colours, dif- The idea of personifying rocks ferent voices. 'Gerda Gneiss', ferent grain size, sorting and is not new or unique. Working our oldest and most experi- so on. It is about observing with a whole family of very enced lady, is tired of being and about wondering. New 'Sara Sandstone' "talkative" rocks has created part of a series of different rock family members will and her fellows a very useful tool for commu- mountain chain building appear, and we are looking share experiences, at nication and education. The processes. A new mountain forward to welcoming them in idea was to let the rocks tell range every 300 million years Rocks telling us our outdoor our exhibition and our educa- where they came exhibition on the story about of their origin. - no wonder she is tired, with tional programme. from, placed on the Molen Ice Age 'Sara Sandstone' is an a folded surface and visible geological map of nature approximately 400 million "wrinkles"! Kristin Rangnes Gea Norvegica monument [email protected] years old lady and she has an How we use these rocks Geopark today is an important part of the different stories commu- nicated by the Geopark. They are not necessarily confined to their use within the Geopark, but also as an important resource used by humans through history. Our most exotic family member, 'Fred Flint' from Denmark is so proud of his popularity

25 G A .x 3221 1:3 Page26 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:53 Children usingaclay of theplateson struct thepositions pebbles tomakea Children andtheir model torecon- starfish mosaic Earth's surface 26 parents use european ACTIVITIES GEOPARKS and understandingatthe et backtogetheragain.Fun tonics whileputting theplan- et andlearnaboutplatetec- plates thatmake upourplan- ating clay modelsofthe budding artisticskillsbycre- Children canexploretheir young andold. fascination inthemindsof the seedsofinterest,fun and er! Tina,ourgeologist,sows also have ageologygarden- rocks fromeachperiod.We of years ofgeologylookingat you canwalk throughmillions is ageologicalgardenwhere activities. TheCopperCoast running throughmany ofour the family fun isthetheme Focus ontheyoung andgive Copper CoastGeopark Fun First Biodiversity Day, whichfor us ended onInternational crammed with activitiesand tival ofBealtainewas The Irishweek-long solarfes- glacial landscape. explain theevolution ofits Comeragh Mountainsto one intheadjacent that weareplanninganew proving sopopularfor picnics cal. OurGeologyGardenis made adampevening magi- together withguestspeakers brought alongtelescopesand The localastronomy club 19th Centuryenginehouse. at Tankardstown, ourold was thepicnicunderstars Castle. Butbestofallin2010, works ofstoneart,toDunhill bours, many withoriginal cliffs, beachesandlittle har- ranging fromspectacular Geopark toenjoy apicnic lots ofplacesthroughoutthe Speaking offood, wehave individuals. was popularwithmorehardy strong coffee andlightsnacks Fenor Bogandendingwith walk startingat4.30 amat to enjoy. Ourdawnchorus and geologyfor allthefamily walks covering flora, fauna We offer numerousguided from 5to25! attracted participantsaged sandcastle competition and colour. Onthebeachour about fossils, pebbleshape are usuallylotsofquestions bles tobefound there.There from therichvariety ofpeb- ing togethermakingmosaics to behadonthebeachwork- 'model' fossils, butmostfun is of diggingfor andexcavating Then there'stheexcitement and theirparents. aimed atengagingchildren late'! Thisisanotherproject the onlyplanetwithchoco- same time.'Save Earth-it's Mike Sweeney John Galloway here! song. Geologyboring?Not Fun, fun fun, remindsmeofa away. Tina canputherKnucks try topublishourfindingsif 100kms tobethere.We will and peoplecamefromover participant was in herlate80s Tig Red Rover. Ouroldest here), ChineseKnucks,and Jumps (yes wecallitthat - Skippingstyles, German in dangerofbeingforgotten the generations andthatare children usedtoplay down centred aroundthegames on, noholdsbarredevent our geologist.Itwas ahands idea initiatedbyTinaKeating Committee), was abrilliant Waterford County Childcare Child Day (sponsoredby together throughourWild Bringing thegenerations games theyplayed. tantly whattheyateandthe years agoandmoreimpor- like for boys andgirls150 what workingconditionswere children love tohearabout history isimportanttoo, and our Geoparkitsname.Social mining activitiesthatgave that childrenplayed inthe hunts) anddiscussthepart hunts (rockpoolsandpebble so on,weincludescavenger- strategies for protectionand coastal erosionandanalysing addition tostudying,geology, needs, arefun (honestly).In although tailoredtoteachers Even ourSchooltrips, special day. the Top Ten activitiesfor that our activitiesintheirlistof UK newspaper, mentioned pleased whentheGuardian,a the beach.We werereally was anactionpacked day on [email protected] [email protected] competition in asandcastle Geopark takepart Visitors tothe rt G A .x 3221 1:3 Page27 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:53 the Kellwasser the outcropof autumn 2009 Extension of type locality following its extension in The outcrop was recognizedthatthefos- limestones andshales.Laterit layers ofalternatingdark in fact consistsoftwodistinct Kellwasser Limestone)which "Kellwasser Kalk" (= limestone was even called the respective LateDevonian (Roemer 1850).Since1900 in someregionsofEurope occurrence ofsuchlimestones spread contemporaneous ately recognizedthewide- palaeontologist. Heimmedi- famous geologistand Friedrich AdolphRoemer, a ry intheKellwasser Valley to dant fossils fromasmallquar- minous limestonewithabun- handed apieceofblackbitu- from thetownofAltenau 19 Ostfalen. Inthemiddle ofthe Braunschweiger Land. within theGeoparkHarz. ber ofimportantgeositesnow and therefore containanum- sciences andhistoryofmining classical areainthegeo- Germany arewellknownasa The HarzMountainsofCentral The KellwasserValley th Century afoundry-man Forschungsinstitut und Senckenberg University Clausthal,the Hannover), theTechnical Bergbau undEnergie, the LBEG(Landesamtfur tions includingtheGeopark, crop, anetworkoforganiza- the significanceofout- covered byvegetation. Given and mostoftheoutcropwas this sectionhasweathered better section.Subsequently structed andexposedamuch a newforest roadwas con- in numerousstudies.In1988 substitute for thetype locality trenches have beenusedasa small outcropsandartificial between 1938and1956, tion oftheOker Reservoir drowned duetotheconstruc- limestone quarrywas Ostfalen. Sincetheoriginal Braunschweiger Land. the GeoparkHarz. most importantgeositesof reference siteandoneofthe Valley mustberegardedasa Consequently, theKellwasser within theLateDevonian. Famennian stageboundary cal marker for theFrasnian- may beusedasthelithologi- Upper Kellwasser Limestone Furthermore, thetopof been found worldwide. so-called Kellwasser Crisishas meantime, evidencefor the events inEarthhistory. Inthe important massextinction sent oneofthefive most the Kellwasser Valley repre- siliferous blacklimestonesin Land. Ostfalen Harz. Braunschweiger ago intheGeopark event 375millionyears pinpointing aglobal The KellwasserValley, [email protected] [email protected] Eberhard Schindler-VolkerWilde Palaeontographica, 3(1.Lfg.): 1-67;Cassel. des nordwestlichenHarzgebirges.1.Abt.- Roemer, F.A. (1850):Beitrage zurgeologischenKenntnis preu?. geol.L.-Anst., N.F., 30:1-383;Berlin. Gegend zwischenZellerfeld undGoslar. -Abh.kgl. Oberharzes mitbesondererBerucksichtigungder Beushausen, L.(1900):DasDevon desnordlichen References in 2009 prior toitsextension The natureoftheoutcrop Geopark's guidingsystem. "Landmarke 2"ofthe nated as"Geopunkt7"within 2010. Thesiteisnowdesig- to thepublicinNovember This was officially presented Kellwasser Limestones. and significanceofthe poster explainingthenature (Quedlinburg) produceda Regionalverband Harz meantime the enlarge theexposure.In ed in2009tore-openand Devonian Stratigraphy decid- German Subcommissionon some membersofthe Naturmuseum Frankfurt and

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Mucin cave WELCOME entrance european GEOPARKS tion ofthemediaandinfor- Geopark alsogetstheatten- dren toretirees.The from elementaryschoolchil- target thewidestaudience for commonactivitieswhich heritage interpretationand used inthedevelopment of both countries.Thishasbeen and tomaintainitsvisibility in define theGeopark'sidentity manual was producedto common geoparkidentity agement oftheGeopark.A important taskfor theman- its cultural identity isalsoan cerning thepreservation of promotion ofactivitiescon- and livingtraditions, andthe Paloc ethnicgroup'sfolk art important centrefor the The areaisrecognisedasan habitations inSlovakia.) tlements inHungaryand28 administrative areaof63set- Geopark comprisesan within theterritory. The enhancement ofgeotourism al projectshave targetedthe lished. Sincethattimesever- Nograd Geoparkwas estab- transborder Novohrad - 1, 587km²territoryofthe event was in2008,whenthe Europe. Thesecondmain Pannonian basininCentral rains andthecreationof ago withtheaccretionofter- pened some30millionyears event shapingtheareahap- The firstmajorgeological Novohrad -NogradGeopark The Transboundary including anexhibitionabout ties concerninggeology, interpretative toolsand facili- was alsoenrichedbynew http://ipolytarnoc.kvvm.hu) Ipolytarnoc Fossils site( Diploma-designated Geopark. TheEuropean the maingateway to the site ofIpolytarnoc,whichis Geopark andaccessthefossil the Hungariansideof future, tocrosstheborder to trail willbeextendedinthe accessible totourists.This sculpted tree-trunkcave was developed tomake a (Slovakia). At Mucinatrail the Filakovo Castle paleontological exhibitionin was rebuilttohostafuture been extendedandacellar Hungary. Astudytrail has at Salgotarjan,Baglyasko, new GeoparkVisitorCentre Directorate establisheda Bukk NationalPark with theleadpartnerof HUSK 0801/216)project Geopark" (id.number: of theNovohrad-Nograd " Infrastructure development tal projectsduring2010.The gave aboosttodevelopmen- Gaining EGNmembership www.nngeopark.eu. the websitehttp:// mation canbeaccessedon membership oftheEGN Press conferenceannouncingtheGeopark's Imre Szarvas Janos Tardy lingual transborder geopark. pen intheworld'sfirstmulti- ments areexpectedtohap- tions andfurther improve- is developing projectapplica- Nograd GeoparkNonprofitkft body oftheNovohrad- Geopark. Thecross-border involve theschoolsin settlements inorderto teachers intheGeopark's geography andbiology tional taskforce involving all project tocreateaneduca- Geopark, isworkingona the mainstakeholders inthe Association, whichisoneof The Nograd Geopark Basin. the birthofCarpathian [email protected] [email protected] Holloko festival at produce The Paloc t T T G A .x 3221 1:3 Page29 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:53 that filledthese Thor, themythi- Thunder. Today lighthouse were we knowitwas In (olden)days wheel tracksof it wasbelieved noritic magma way toEigeroy out ofasolid stripes inthe belonging to form asolid rocks onthe solidified to rock almost rock bythe 930 million clearly has been worn caves that dykes and distinctive years ago cal Godof series of One ofa a chariot that the sea taining theregion,andthus nerships, developing andsus- the regionbycreatingpart- tribute tothewell-beingof same timewewant tocon- erations canenjoy it.At the in suchaway that future gen- A Geoparkmustbemanaged tional contexts. local, nationalandinterna- vides high-value heritagein moon! Thisuniqueareapro- would needtotravel tothe order tofindmoreofityou including Anorthosite-in where elseintheworld, rocks you willhardlyfindany- Earth's surface. Hereare glimpse intowhatiscalledthe cooled down,theareaoffers a away andthemagmahas tain massifs arenowwashed seetoday.Although themoun- characteristic landscapewe sion andglaciersformed the Through millionsofyears ero- the terrain oftheregion. high mountainscharacterized the red-hotmagmaandsky 1.5 billionyears ago, when The storybeganasearly European GeoparkNetwork. became amemberofthe March, 2010MagmaGeopark development initiative andin lished in2006asaregional Geopark projectwas estab- extends over 2329km southwest Norway and heritage. Itissituatedin unique geologyandcultural Magma Geoparkisanareaof Geopark Magma and apromiseforthefuture experienced inthepresent Created inthepast, 2 . The scape; meanders throughtheland- tastic glacialridge(esker) that caves; scape withhugeblocksand Hellersheia,anorthosite land- landscape; magma chamberinacoastal walk throughapartofhuge mine; of solidrockatBrufjell largest landslidesinEurope; Europe's largestlayered intru- see wheremagmaentered

our locations: Here aresomeexamplesof locations opentothepublic. arrange for all46Geopark landowners inordertoopen tion withourpartnersand We areworkingincollabora- developed intheregion. ideas willbegenerated and that even moreinnovative forever. Therefore, wehope we canmake ouroffer last that never runoutofdate- selling experiences-products local hotelsorcampsites.By accommodation incabins, sales oflocalfood products, tors tocontributeincreased economy byencouraging visi- acter. We supportthelocal enhancing theregion'schar- contribute toprotectingand Focusing onGeotourismwe behind butfootprints. ences thatleave nothingelse providing visitorswithexperi- tainable tourismprinciplesby jobs.We aimtopromotesus- ups andgenerating more assisting newbusinessstart- Storeknuten, whereyou can Gloppedal scree,oneofthe Huge coastalcaves cutout Blafjell, anoldilmenite Eigeroy lighthousewitha St. Olav's serpent,afan- history. geology, miningandcultural that presentstheregion's experience andactivity center already taken place. positive resultsthathave and weareexcited aboutthe to creatingvalue intheregion MagmaGeoparkis committed um. mine; mine; in theGeopark. ing toursalongvarious routes ViaFjord, whichoffers climb- established company lishment of: have contributedtotheestab- are ourkey focus, andwe Development andinnovation tion oftheGeopark. the development andpromo- partners contributebothto Spoor AS. initiated theestablishmentof one offour players whohave tourists. MagmaGeoparkis ages tobusinessesand Spoor offers adventure pack- way". door school"Inanatural Geopark locations). (these arealsoemerging tion ofvisitingtheoldmines businesses andtouristgroups. the Geoparkheldregularlyfor Geo GuideSchool.

www.magmageopark.com Pal Thjomoe sion; Establishment oftheNordic Guided toursorganizedby Visit MineProject:facilita- Establishment oftheout- A newlystartedcompany National andinternational We workwiththenewly Gursli, anoldmolybdenum Orsdalen, anoldtungsten Flekkefjord railroad muse- Jossingfjord Center:an Ilmenite walking onpure abandoned mine, visiting Blafjell A schoolclass

WELCOME

29 european GEOPARKS EGN MAG 8.qxd 3/2/2012 10:54 Page 30

Basque coast geopark

WELCOME A strong cultural identity influenced by geology PARKS

The Geopark is located on the West coast of Gipuzkoa province, Basque Autonomous Community in Itziar european GEO the north of Spain. The Sanctuary and French border is 35 km from Andutz the eastern boundary of the Mountain (Mesozoic reef territory. The 89 km² of the limestone) Geopark includes the munici- palities of Zumaia, Deba and Mutriku, and is inhabited by around 19,700 people. The educational value of this worship of waters. The territory encompasses a heritage is also very impor- Geotourism in this area start- 23 km coastline consisting tant, as evidenced by the suc- ed in 2002 with the initiation largely of steep cliffs and cess that has been achieved of the first guided walks to includes one of the most through initiatives such as the the Zumaia outcrop and extensive intertidal abrasion Algorri Interpretation Centre included sites such as the K-T platforms in Europe. The (Zumaia) and the Nautilus boundary. The day-long hikes coastal area contains a com- Fossil Museum (Mutriku). along the coastal outcrop plete record of the important It is interesting to note that between Deba and Zumaia boundaries between geologi- the municipalities of Deba and introduce a continuous geo- cal ages such as the Mutriku have one of the logical record spanning 60 Cretaceous/Tertiary (K-T greatest concentrations of million years. Over the years, boundary) and the caves of archaeological signif- new activities and facilities Palaeocene/Eocene boundary, icance in the whole of have sprung up along the and also includes the strato- Gipuzkoa province. In Deba coast under the umbrella of types (international refer- we find two important archae- the Coastal Flysch Route ences) for two stage bound- ological sites from the Upper (www.flysch.com), resulting aries within the Palaeocene Palaeolithic period, namely in a high level of geotourism (Danian-Selandian and the Ekain and Praileaitz caves. development in the area. We Selandian-Thanetian). The cave paintings in Ekain are now extending geot- Inland the landscape is domi- cave (in particular the figures ourism from the coast to the nated by hilly countryside, of horses), are one of the best inland sector of the territory. Zumaia-Deba coastal where much of the agricultur- Geotourism by outcrop. Geological examples of Franco- al activity takes place. A boat to observe and biological values Cantabrian art. As a result, Cristina Iturriagagoitia the main coastal of the area led to the group of mountains com- the Ekain cave was declared a [email protected] outcrop. Boat declaration in 2008 posed of Urgonian limestone - Joan Poch trips combine UNESCO World Heritage Site [email protected] of the Zumaia-Deba former barrier reefs - can be in 2008. The replica of the the interpreta- Protected Biotope by Jon Paul Llordes tion of the found in the southern part of Ekain cave, Ekainberri, can be [email protected] the Basque the region. natural and Government visited in the neighbouring cultural heritage town of Zestoa. There are many examples linking geology and human activities which define the Basque culture. For example, some caves have traditionally been considered to be the homes of mythical genies such as the Jentiletxeta caves in Mutriku and the Deba River, a name which alludes to a female divinity in the Celtic Pantheon connected to the

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Cilento and Vallo di Diano Geopark WELCOME

The Geopark is located in the panoramic (scenic sites) or province of Salerno, economic (ancient mines) A territory

Campania and occupies the value. PARKS whole of the territory of the A large part of the Geopark's to be National Park of the Cilento territory coincides with the and Vallo di Diano. The Biosphere Reserves of the discovered geopark extends from the National Park of the Cilento Tyrrhenian coast to the and Vallo di Diano which has aged European european GEO margin of the Lucania been included in the UNESCO funded projects mountains. The strong list of World Heritage Sites including: Life morphological contrast is since 1998. The majority of Nature. attributable to the dis- geosites occur within the The Geopark has tinct bipartite UNESCO site. a network of trails nature of the Sites of historical and cultural of approximately geology and to significance include the city of 1500 km sign the area's long evo- Paestum, which was founded posted in accor- lutionary history. around 650 BC by Greek set- dance with the Carbonate massifs tlers from the Calabrian city rules of the Italian within the Geopark are of Sybaris. The city of Elia Alpine Club. These characterized by karst fea- (Velia) was founded by trails are partly tures including caves, Greeks around 540 BC and equipped with vast plateaus with became the home of the educational pan- dolines and polje sepa- Eleatic School of philoso- els, a system of rated by slopes sculpted phers. The city was aban- signs and rest by intense neo tectonic activ- doned in medieval times. areas. The Geopark also con- DTM with the ity and dissected by deep Padula Charterhouse, a tains a network of approxi- fluvio-karstic valley of Sammaro gorges and canyons. The Carthusian monastery, at the mately 41 museums devoted (red arrow); the upper arenaceous conglomer- foot of Mount Maddalena was to archaeology, geology and oldest level of the ate component of the "Flysch founded in 1306. It is the sec- paleontology and the history valley is indicated of the Cilento exposed on the ond largest Charterhouse in and development of civiliza- on the right side surface on Mount Stella, Italy and is a UNESCO World tion. (yellow arrows). Mount Gelbison and Mount Heritage Site. Historically sig- 1 2 3 Centaurino and the underly- nificant villages include the Aloia Aniello , De Vita Angelo and Toni Andrea 1. "Geopark Manager" - [email protected] ing clayey marly component abandoned suburbs of 2."General Director" - [email protected] are associated with the hilly Roscigno Vecchio and S. 3. "Managment and conservation of geological reliefs of the territory. In this Severino. Sites of religious heritage" - [email protected] Geopark various categories of significance such as the geosites were distinguished Sanctuary of the Madonna of al based on their stratigraphical, Novi on Mount Gelbison are geomorphological, paleoenvi- set in spectacular landscapes. The gorge of ronmental, structural, hydro- The Geopark has benefited Mingardo River geological and paleontologi- from earlier National Park confined by cal significance. Geosites also projects and includes and fault scarp e include sites with particular extends the results of these projects in its activities. "The ecological network for local sustainable development", financed bythe funds from the POR Campania 2000 - 2006, protects the natural environment and historical and cultural resources, strengthens the provision of services and promotes sus- tainable development. The Entrance to National Park has also man- Pertosa caves

31 G A .x 3221 1:4 Page32 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:54 excellent placefor months theesker hills andkettle- During winter 32 snowshoeing holes arean european WELCOME GEOPARKS Finland's firstandworld'snorthernmostGeopark Ice Age.Thecharacteristic which characterized thelast way oflife andthescenery are abletogetafeeling for a scape andfrozenlakes, you the middleofasnowyland- During thewintermonths,in a largevariety ofvisitors. make itaninterestingareafor winter andFinnishtraditions special arcticcharacter, long lion years ago. TheGeopark's geology startingfrom2.6bil- dimension andinteresting Network anewnorthern the EuropeanGeoparks Rokua Geoparkprovides to ing totheareabycarortrain. Helsinki orRigaandcontinu- through theairportsof flying totheOuluairport Rokua iseasiesttoreachby and Kajaani. Fromabroad between thecitiesofOulu km southoftheArcticCircle Northern Finland,about200 Greece. Rokua issituatedin EGN Conference inLesvos, October 2010duringthe9th Geoparks Networksin into theGlobalandEuropean Rokua Geoparkwas accepted Geopark Rokua by theKassu Halonen Art Cultural servicesare provided side ofLake Oulujarvi. numerous islandsonthewest Oulujarvi hikingareaincludes around Lake Oulujarvi. attractions aretobefound Diverse natural andcultural privately ownedcabins. hotels, campingcentresand Rokua hasaccommodation in kilometres ofhikingroutes. summer, therearearound 50 ing tracks areopen.Inthe metres ofcross-countryski- early springaround70kilo- ing routesareexcellent; in cross-country skiingandhik- and dunearea.Rokua's attractions oftheRokua esker services contributetothe Natural Park andwellness The characteristic landscape, sheet andthesea. the withdrawal ofthe ice of thepeoplewhofollowed connected bytheprehistory geology, theareasarealso Stage). Inadditiontothe Ice Age(Weichselelian withdrawal phaseofthe last ancient bedrockduringthe were formed ontopof field anditsgeosites,which linked bytheRokua esker Oulujarvi. Theareasare area surroundingLake Esker andduneareathe River OulujokiValley, Rokua The Geoparkconsistsofthe filled withcrystalclearwater. kettle holesandsmallponds pine andlichen-cladheaths, Age andincludeglacialridges, landforms shaped bytheIce features oftheareaconsist www.rokuageopark.fi [email protected] [email protected]; Ritva Okkonen Vesa Krokki ent day. history, natureandthepres- themes are:geology, human Abandoned. Theexhibition The Island thattheSea the Geoparkarea:Rokua - describing theformation of Suppa hasanexhibition Rokua Esker andDuneArea. Information Centrelocatedat tion siteistheSuppa The Geopark'smaininforma- River Oulujoki. and leisureservicesalongthe diverse range ofrecreational municipalities. Thereisa located intheriver valley's of tourismcompaniesare and historicalsites.Anumber the area'sbeautiful nature Oulujoki Valley isbasedon The attraction oftheRiver ing andkayaking activities. is alsoagreatplacefor boat- in thesummer. Lake Oulujarvi and musicalevents areheld House, whereartexhibitions character special arctic The areahasa Ilpo Okkonen area, photoby acteristic tothe heaths arechar- lichen-clad Pine and S B - Slag fromCopper Biancane oValle G A .x 3221 1:4 Page33 EGN MAG8.qxd3/2/201210:54 (XIXth century) activity inthe Geothermal exploitation del Diavolo at LeRoste ore Geology andLandscape Tuscan MiningPark with theformation ofthe Tuscany associatedmainly ical evolution ofsouthern the longandcomplexgeolog- the Geoparkresultedfrom The geologicalfeatures of Italy. ple/km² for thewholeof compared with198.8peo- density of49.3people/km² people withapopulation sparsely populatedby53,549 km². Thisregionisrelatively occupies anareaof1087 areas inItaly. TheGeopark of themostimportantmining some areasinSardiniaisone Hills), andtogetherwith Metallifere (Metalliferous the territoryofColline central Italy. Itcoincideswith Grosseto Province inTuscany, northern sectorofthe The Geoparkislocatedinthe metal content,wereintense- because oftheirsizeand sulphide orebodieswhich, The territorycontainsseveral Apennine chain. The missionoftheGateways GATEWAYS TO THEPARK. municipality definedas points intheterritoryofeach ing oneortworeception The projectenvisages open- the localgovernment. territory arecarriedoutby economic development ofthe conservation, protectionand Geopark andinitiatives for of sitesandproductsthe to above. Themanagement seven municipalitiesreferred Colline Metallifere andthe Comunita Montanadelle Region, Province ofGrosseto, Heritage andCulture,Tuscan Environment, Ministryof involving theMinistry ofthe managed byaCommittee The Geoparkisaconsortium and industrialsites. archaeological, geological and development ofthe preservation, management strategies for therecovery, Metallifere andtodevelop logical heritageoftheColline technological andarchaeo- its Masterplantorecordthe Colline Metallifere hasused cal sites.TheParco delle doned minesandmetallurgi- Metallifere focuses onaban- the Parco delleColline production. Inviewofthis, dence ofminingandmetal revealed mainlyintheevi- The cultural heritageis of thelimestone. derived fromtheweathering tures andredclayey soils crops oflimestone,karstfea- hilly slopeswithfrequentout- Geopark ischaracterized by such asthermalsprings.The in highlysignificantgeosites hydrothermal activity isseen modern geothermaland The influenceofrecentand lennia. of approximately threemil- pyrite contentover aperiod zinc, copper, silver, iron, and ly exploitedfor theirlead, The GatewayoftheParkGavorrano ([email protected]) Riccardo Cinelli [email protected], Alessandra Casini local communities. acted asabindingforce for which for many years has an expressionofindustry tion oftheiridentity, andas ceived asavaluable founda- record. Thisrecordisper- industrial archaeological and develop theimpressive taken measurestoconserve cils andcommunitieshave the localarea.Localcoun- for thecommunities,andfor is topromoteopportunities The Geopark'sbasicmission material. informative andeducational hosting events, saleof displays andexhibitions, cational activities,hosting workshops andedu- animation activities, routes, guidedtours, offer, museum es andactivitiesthey sites andtheservic- mation aboutthe ices includinginfor- ways canbeofvarious serv- Colline Metallifere. Thegate- the identity ofthearea ing activitiesand,above all scape, ofthehistorymin- itage andhistoricalland- mining, ofthegeologicalher- knowledge oftheworld to thePark istopromote Grossetane Metallifere Colline Parco Delle

WELCOME

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Vikos - Aoos

WELCOME Geopark

Landscape, nature PARKS and culture in perfect harmony european GEO

Vikos- Aoos Geopark is one of ing monasteries, schools, the four Greek Geoparks and churches, chapels and arched was delighted to become a stone bridges. member of the European and Vikos Aoos Geopark is one of Global Geopark Networks in the most impressive areas in 2010. It is located in the Greece in terms of its aes- In conclusion this exception- A stone region of Epirus, Ioannina, thetic values and range of bridge in the ally beautiful landscape is Vikos Gorge NW Greece. geodynamic processes. characterised by its high bio- It occupies the NW part of Numerous geosites within the diversity with respect to both the Pindus Mountain Range territory are situated in land- flora and fauna. and is characterized by a high scapes of incomparable rugged relief and an impres- beauty. They owe their origin sive landscape. It also to a wide range of geological includes Mt. Smolikas (alt. processes and are of excel- 2637m) the second highest lent scientific and educational mountain in Greece and Mt. value. Tymfi (alt. 2497m) with the The area of Epirus is charac- two spectacular gorges of terised by a its strong relief Vikos and Aoos. and the significant relation- The Geopark covers an area ship between geology and of 1,200 km² and the 9,500 drainage resulting in exten- inhabitants reside in 61 set- sive aquifers and many tlements in the municipalities springs. Mt. Tymfi with its Ecotourism of Zagori and Konitsa. The calcareous bedrock is associ- on Mt Tymfi. territory contains several tra- ated with steep, rocky slopes Astraka ditional settlements and and cliffs, deep gorges, gla- peak (2436m) monuments dating back to cial lakes, springs, streams and theglacial th th lakewhich lies the 14 - 19 century includ- and rivers with pure water. at its foothills The deep gorges reveal the rock sections which consti- More than 2000 plant species The location of tute the geological structure grow in the area including Vikos - Aoos of the area. Geopark in several rare, endemic and relation to the Evergreen shrubs, constitut- protected ones. The territory tectonic zones ed mainly by the kermes and is inhabited by approximately of Greece the holly oak, as well as 300 species of vertebrates. deciduous oak woods occur Some species including the at low altitudes.They are suc- brown bear, the wolf, the ceeded at higher altitudes by otter, the Balkan chamois, sub - Mediterranean conifers the golden eagle and the including black pine, fir and alpine newt are protected by occasionally stinking juniper European Union and national and beech forests. The legislation. mountain tops are character- ized by Balkan pine woods Panagiotis Paschos and thickets, extensive sub- Haritakis Papaioannou alpine pastures and bare rock [email protected], [email protected], surfaces and screes. [email protected], [email protected]

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2011 MEETINGS

24 June 2011 The 2nd Asia-Pacific Seminar on Geopark, Geoconservation and Sustainable Development 2011 (APSGGSD 2011). Hong Kong.

16 - 22 July 2011 The Second Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium on "Geopark and Geotourism for Regional Sustainable Development" (APGNSymp2011) Hanoi, Vietnam. http://www.vigmr.vn/Asia_Pacific_Geoparks_Network_2nd_Symposium_2011/

25 - 30 July 2011 International Summer School "Geotourism, culture and sustainability" Naturtejo Geopark Portugal.

7 - 9 Septemeber 2011 International conference: Managing Geosites in protected areas - Savoie France.

13 - 15 September EGN CC meeting Gea Norvegica Geopark Norway.

16 - 20 September 10th European Geoparks Conference, Gea Norvegica Geopark Norway, http://www.geanor.no

26 September - 11 October 2011 5th International Intensive Course on Geoparks - Lesvos Geopark - Greece.

24 - 27 October 2011 GEO REG Regional Geosciences of France and neighbouring countries Villeneuve d'Ascq ( France ). Including the ses- sion " Geoconservation 20 years after the Digne conference : outcomes and challenges "- http://e.geologie.free.fr/actualite/info-forum-georeg.pdf

9 - 13 of November 2011 International Congress of Geotourism - AROUCA 2011.

21 - 28 November 2011 First International Conference on African & Arabian Geoparks "Aspiring Geoparks in Africa and Arab world" El Jadida, Morocco.

2012 MEETINGS

March 2012 EGN Advisory and Coordination Committee Meeting - Andalucia Spain.

12 - 15 May 2012 5th International GGN Conference in the Unzen Geopark, Japan.

2 - 10 August 2012 The 34th International

Geological Congress (IGC) Brisbane, Australia. ARK CONFERENCES ARK CONFERENCES

September 2012 11th European Geoparks Conference - Arouca Geopark Portugal.

2013 MEETINGS

March 2013 EGN Advisory and Coordination Committee Meeting

September 2013 12th European Geoparks Conference in Italy www.europeangeoparks.org GEOP GEOP

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TheThe EuropeanEuropean GeoparksGeoparks NetworkNetwork today...today... The Network consists of 43 Geoparks in 17 European countries (April 2011)

1. Reserve Geologique de Haute - Provence FRANCE 23. Naturtejo Geopark PORTUGAL 2. Vulkaneifel European Geopark GERMANY 24. Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park ANDALUCIA, SPAIN 3. Petrified Forest of Lesvos GREECE 25. Sobrarbe Geopark ARAGON, SPAIN 4. Maestrazgo Cultural Park ARAGON, SPAIN 26. Gea Norvegica Geopark NORWAY 5. Psiloritis Natural Park GREECE 27. Geological, Mining Park of Sardenia ITALY 6. Terra.Vita Naturpark GERMANY 28. Papuk Geopark CROATIA 7. Copper Coast Geopark IRELAND 29. Lochaber Geopark SCOTLAND, UK 8. Marble Arch Caves European Geopark NORTHERN IRELAND & IRELAND 30. English Riviera Geopark ENGLAND, UK 9. Madonie Geopark ITALY 31. Adamello - Brenta Nature Park ITALY 10. Rocca di Cerere Geopark ITALY 32. Geo Mon WALES, UK 11. Naturpark Steirische Eisenwurzen AUSTRIA 33. Arouca Geopark PORTUGAL 12. Naturpark Bergstrasse Odenwald GERMANY 34. Shetlands SCOTLAND - UK 13. North Pennines AONB ENGLAND, UK 35. Chelmos Vouraikos GREECE 14. Park Naturel Regional du Luberon FRANCE 36. Novohrad - Nograd Geopark HUNGARY & SLOVAKIA 15. North West Highlands SCOTLAND, UK 16. Geopark Swabian Albs GERMANY 37. Magma Geopark NORWAY 17. Geopark Harz Braunschweiger Land Ostfalen GERMANY 38. Basque Coast Geopark, Pais Vasco SPAIN 18. Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark ROMANIA 39. Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano, Campania ITALY 19. Beigua Geopark ITALY 40. Rokua Geopark FINLAND 20. Fforest Fawr Geopark WALES, UK 41. Tuscan Mining Park, Toscana ITALY 21. Bohemian Paradise Geopark CZECH REPUBLIC 42. Vikos - Aoos Geopark GREECE 22. Cabo de Gata - Nijar Natural Park ANDALUCIA, SPAIN 43. Muskau Arch Geopark POLAND & GERMANY www.europeangeoparks.org